Volunteering and Placement Opportunities

WGN provide opportunities for counselling student placements, research interns, volunteer help-line workers and advocates.

Volunteer Counsellors

Women and Girls Network is committed to supporting the development of counsellors who can work appropriately and responsively with women who have experienced gendered violence. We provide volunteer counsellors with a comprehensive package of clinical supervision and continuing professional development training opportunities. If you are in the second year of your counselling diploma and are interested in a placement with Women and Girls Network, we ask that you download the application pack below and return it to us by post before 4th September 2008.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on either the 12th or the 16th of September 2008. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain whether or not this is the right organisation for you to be placed with.

All candidates will be required to undertake our Induction Training Programme. This consists initially of four days training followed by a day of Assessment. The purpose of this is to ensure that we can support your skill level and developmental needs. The Induction Training addresses the following topics: looking at oppression; developing multicultural competencies and anti-discriminatory practice; myths and theories relating to gendered violence; effects of violence; strategies to work holistically with clinical presentations; clinical models and interventions; WGN policies and procedures.

You will be expected to attend another two days training once you have started working with WGN.

The Assessments are scheduled for either the 7th or 8th of November 2008 and will consist of role-play assessed by a senior WGN practitioner. You will receive feedback on your progress, and if selected at this stage, you will start your placement with us as soon as possible after completing your training and at the latest in January 2009.

WGN is striving for equal opportunities for all. All volunteer positions with WGN are open to women only. The post is exempt under S7 (2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Download Volunteer Counsellor Application Pack:

• Background information
• Volunteer Counsellor Responsibilities
• Expectations of Volunteer Counsellors
• Application Form
• Equal Opportunities Statement of Intent
• Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Telephone Helpline Volunteers

Women and Girls Network is now recruiting volunteers for our Telephone Helpline. Helpline volunteers receive six days accredited training. Our expectation is that you will then volunteer regularly (once a week) with WGN for at least one year. We currently run helpline sessions on weekdays and evenings and are considering expanding the opening hours to weekends (if there is enough demand for the service). Ability to make a regular commitment to one of these sessions will be part of our selection criteria.

If you are interested in becoming a Helpline Volunteer with Women and Girls Network, we ask that you download the application form and monitoring form below and return them to us by post by 12^th December 2008. We regret that we are unable to accept emailed applications.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 5^th January 2009. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain whether or not this is the right organisation for you to be placed with.

All selected applicants will be required to undertake our Helpline Volunteer Training Programme. This consists of six days training followed by a day of assessment. The training will equip women with the skills and knowledge necessary to support women and girls who have experienced violence. The course is accredited by the Open College Network, London. There are 2 units; both at level 2 and each unit offers 3 credits.
Unit 1 – Issues for Survivors and
Unit 2 – Telephone Helpline Skills.

The course will be run during the day over the following six days and you will need to attend all sessions:

• Friday 23^rd and Saturday 24^th January 2009
• Friday 6^th and Saturday 7^th February 2009
• Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st February 2009

Participants will be assessed throughout the course; in addition participants will need to complete case studies and assessed role-plays. Assessments will be held on Saturday 28^th February and Sunday 1^st March 2009. You will receive feedback on your progress, and if selected at this stage, you will start your volunteering with us as soon as possible after completing your training. Office induction for new Helpline Volunteers will be held during the evening on 11^th March 2009.

100% attendance is a requirement for successful completion of the training, as is a period of supervised volunteering on the helpline.

WGN is striving for equal opportunities for all. All volunteer positions with WGN are open to women only. The post is exempt under S7 (2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Download Telephone Helpline Volunteer Application Pack:

• Background information
• Helpline Volunteer information
• Helpline Volunteer training information
• Application Form
• Equal Opportunities Statement of Intent
• Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

WGN is a registered charity and is governed by a board of trustees known as the Management Committee.  If you are interested in supporting the development of WGN’s work by joining the Management Committee, please contact us for an application pack.