Volunteering

Drugline Lancashire needs warm, patient volunteers to support people through their problems.

You do not need professional qualifications but you do need the following qualities:

A non judgmental attitude
A willingness to listen
Willingness to learn - prospective volunteers are interviewed and selected for thorough training in listening, drugs awareness, counselling and support skills)
Acceptance of difference - Drugline Lancashire and its service reflects the communities it serves
Reliability - you will be required to give a minimum of
3 to 4 hours a week
A real and genuine commitment to equal opportunity working
A strong consistent commitment to confidential working and dealing with sensitive issues

To equip you with the necessary skills you will be offered:

A course of several days or evenings on telephone listening skills. This will explore your listening ability and self awareness as well as your expectations of the service
A course of several days or evenings in drug awareness, exploring the facts and feelings around drug use and drug working
A probationary period over several weeks with an experienced listener leading to final acceptance as a volunteer
Further monthly training in specialist areas
Opportunities for further training in face to face working
Regular support, supervision and annual appraisals
Extended opportunities including training and practise in counselling, community working, education and training, outreach work, befriending and support services.

For further information or a volunteer application pack go to the Lancashire Volunteering Project