The core role of a Devon Rape Crisis volunteer is to provide support to women via the telephone helpline (based in Exeter) after having successfully completed the Devon Rape Crisis Service Open College Network (OCN) accredited training programme.  Volunteers will also have the opportunity to provide face to face support and advocacy to women at our centre in Exeter and/or at agreed venues around Devon. 

Every volunteer is a valued team member of the team and will receive ongoing informal support and supervision.  All volunteers are also expected to participate in monthly development and supervision meetings as well as 1-1 supervision.  Please note that expenses, such as transport costs and a contribution towards child care costs, will be paid to all volunteers from the training stage onwards.

Essential requirements of volunteers

• Aged over 18

• Commitment to the aims of Devon Rape Crisis Service, its feminist values and all policies and procedures

• Willing to undergo an enhanced CRB check

• Able to provide two references

• Able to attend all sessions of the volunteer training programme and to complete the accreditation requirements

• Able to commit to at least 3 hours of work for Devon RCS on the phone line per month

• Willing to attend a minimum of 9 out of the 12 monthly volunteer development and supervision meetings 

• Willing to undertake a minimum of 2 face to face supervision sessions per year

• Willing to undertake further training as required

• Good listening and communication skills

• The ability to work as part of a team and to take part in group work

• Ability to work alone and under own initiative

• A sensitive and empathic approach to the work

• Self-awareness and an ability to reflect on self and the work
  

Interested?

We welcome applications from women who are committed to the aims of Devon Rape Crisis and meet all the essential requirements as stated above.

All women are asked to complete and return a short application form.  They will then be contacted by the Volunteer Co-ordinator for a telephone or personal interview.

The Volunteer Co-ordinator will make a decision about the suitability of a prospective volunteer for Devon Rape Crisis and offer them a place on the training course.

All volunteers will need to provide two references and undergo an enhanced CRB check.  The references should be from people who can comment on the ability of the volunteer to meet the person specification and should not be relatives.

Prospective volunteers need to attend all sessions of the training programme.

A mid-training and end of training review is carried out with all volunteers and if successful, volunteers start a six month probationary/induction period.

After the six month probationary review meeting, volunteers may be confirmed as volunteers or required to undertake further training

To receive an information pack and application form, please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Anna, tel: 01392 208756 or email: anna@devonrapecrisis.org.uk