OrangeLine Volunteers play a vital role in supporting individuals who are experiencing loneliness, isolation and bereavement, or living with long-term health conditions. Volunteers will provide listening support through telephone conversations and or assist with the delivery of community based and hospice based support groups. In addition to offering a listening ear and practical guidance, volunteers will be involved in light administrative tasks to help ensure the smooth running of OrangeLine services.
The role offers a meaningful opportunity to make a difference both onsite at the hospice and in the local community settings.
Main Tasks:
- Make and receive calls to provide emotional support and guidance
- Signpost callers to relevant support services and groups
- Maintain accurate and confidential call logs
- Assist in setting up and running OrangeLine support groups (on or off site)
- Represent OrangeLine at community events and with Partner organisations
- Help promote the services by delivering marketing materials to local venues (e.g. GP surgeries, hospitals)
- Provide listening support through telephone conversations and/or assist with facilitating community-based and hospice-based support groups.
What skills do I need?
- An understanding of and the ability to maintain excellent professional safeguarding boundaries
- Telephone/customer services experience preferred
- Ability to express natural empathy
- Good English verbal and written skills - with clear handwriting
- Good listening and communication skills
- Confident telephone manner
- Ability to stay calm and focussed
- Involvement in facilitating an event or group activity
- Previous experience in supporting bereaved people or those facing a crisis situations.
- Agreement to commit to the scheduled rota sessions
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to the needs of the service within reason e.g. helping to cover holiday and sickness
- To consider developing own role to include additional tasks within the department or expansion of the service
- To agree to attend additional training sessions, highlighted by the Manager as important and relevant, to be able to continue current role within the OrangeLine team
- To safeguard yourself and others through check in sessions with OrangeLine staff and group support
Personal Qualities
- Strong listening and communication skills
- A calm, compassionate and non-judgement approach
- A good standard of spoken and written English
- Ability to stay focused under pressure
- Deliver support services whilst maintaining appropriate professional distance
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity
