Volunteer & Make a Difference

Applications for Lifeline volunteers are currently closed.

To express your interest, please email: volunteer.application@lifeline.org.nz

Volunteer at our Auckland or Christchurch call centres

This is an opportunity to learn and work within a highly supportive team with full training and supervision provided. Skills can contribute to other educational development.

We ask for a commitment of 2 years, 4 x 3 hour shifts per month (preferably a regular weekly shift on the same day/time each week) and one 1.5 hour supervision group per month. Shift times can fit around your schedule and can include daytime, evenings and weekends.

Volunteers accepted into our intake training are asked for a $200 contribution towards their training costs. This charge recognises our charity status and contributes toward the overall cost.

Becoming a volunteer

What is involved?

The training is comprised of 7 online modules. There is homework attached to 6 modules and practice roleplays with 5 modules. There is an expectation of completing 1 module per week. When a module is finished we assess it and once it is passed volunteers are able to access the next one. Once all the modules are completed, volunteers come in to do a listening shift and are set up with a mentor who they do 6-8 mentoring shifts with in the counselling room until Lifeline feels ready they are able to go solo.

To be a helpline volunteer you need to be:

a permanent New Zealand resident and within reasonable driving distance of a Lifeline call centre
able to express yourself clearly and fluently in spoken and written English
able to demonstrate a reasonable level of life experience to suit the needs of Lifeline callers
able to relate well to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures
open minded and non-judgemental
able to give and receive feedback non-defensively
able to make a minimum two-year commitment to shifts (4 x 3 hour shifts per month), supervision and training
confident in the use of technology
able to provide two forms of photo ID
willing to complete an application form, NZ Police vetting form and attend an interview
able to participate and complete seven modules of online training within seven weeks (approximately four hours per week), then 6-8 sessions (three hours) of mentoring before being signed off as a Volunteer Lifeline Counsellor
able to commit to 4 x 3 hour shifts per month

Get in touch

To learn more about volunteering, leave us a message. We generally reply to enquiries within 1-2 working days (Monday – Friday).

Volunteer