Volunteering for Childline

[Joe]

Technically this could be in the relationships and health thread because any who's used Childline, or currently works for them will know that's the majority of the contacts we get, anyway...

I volunteer as a Councillor for the Nottinghamshire Base for Chilldine, ran by the NSPCC charity. Basically, they're always recruiting for the helplines, among other roles. You'll be working for four hours a week on a shift (that you can decide) either counselling young people that contact Childline or be on the switchboard (transferring the young people's calls onto the counsellor).

It's selfless and very rewarding. I've been doing it for two months now and I'm absolutely loving it (as much as you can listening about self harm to suicide to family relationships etc). It's not as hard as you think and it could mean an extra thing for your CV or even give your Tuesday nights a little more meaning, or something like that.

I'll drop the link here to search for volunteering roles! (http://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteer-or-work-for-us/)

Would anyone be really interested in doing this? Any questions? Any councillors here anyway? I'm happy to answer questions if anyone has one about it as truthfully and bluntly as I can, also PM me if you want to talk privately about this, as some of the issues can be really sensitive! I'm really passionate about the charity and I'm a big believer in making sure the future generations get the support they need and deserve.

[Empired]

I'd be interested but I have a few questions Joe;

How old do you have to be, and is there a "better" age? (Like I know some places prefer younger volunteers because teenagers feel more comfortable around them.)
Are there any other requirements?
Is it particularly emotionally taxing?
Any tips for anyone interested in volunteering?

[Joe]

I'd be interested but I have a few questions Joe;

How old do you have to be, and is there a "better" age? (Like I know some places prefer younger volunteers because teenagers feel more comfortable around them.)
Are there any other requirements?
Is it particularly emotionally taxing?
Any tips for anyone interested in volunteering?

Yes, of course, I'll try my best to answer these for you, super glad you're interested!

The age (for Counselling not sure about other voluntary roles) is 16+ as obviously a lot of the contacts are about serious matters and aren't suitable for anyone younger. In terms of a more useful and ideal age, I'm not sure. I was told (I'm 18) that I'm the youngest at the base I work at, so I'm not sure if that gives you any real comparison. There's people working alongside my well into their old age who still have the same training and the same workshops etc, so it's very diverse.

Requirements really are to be understanding and have a passion to help. I'm sure they're some legal requirements in there as you do have to be CRB'd but unless it's a serious, child safeguarding issue you're pretty safe. You can't be working or aspiring to work in the police force as this conflicts confidentiality. They ask you to be part of a training programme of 9 modules to make you read to counsel and then take part in 40 weeks of shifts as that covers the money it cost to train you. You'll be part of two different workshops a year and three supervisions with your personal supervisor.

Everything has the possibility to be emotionally taxing. It really depends on the outlook you have on life. You hear a lot about self harm, suicidal feelings, emotional and physical abuse, as well as sexual, but it's important to remember that you're here to support them because they need you. Things you hear are upsetting and without a positive outlook you're sure to struggle, so I go into the Counselling room at the start of each shift with the mindset that I don't matter and the young people do. With that, I avoid becoming emotionally attached to any contact I'm part of.

My only tip is to get out there and do it. It's so fulfilling and, in a selfish way, is such a good way of spending your time. You get so much out of it as long as you give more into to. I adore it and I'll recommend it to anyone.

I hope I've either persuaded you or helped others understand how amazing it really is!

[Phil]

It's something I have always wanted to do but I've never been able. I wasn't able to drive when I first wanted to and now I can't because I have unpreditable work schedules. I honestly think it would just make me sad though.

[Sharon]

I'd never even considered anything like volunteering for a helpline before... definitely going to look into it

[Joe]

I'd never even considered anything like volunteering for a helpline before... definitely going to look into it

Great! If you need any ideas or help with looking into it please don't hesitate in asking me or something, otherwise good luck and I hope you decide to do something relating to this!


It's something I have always wanted to do but I've never been able. I wasn't able to drive when I first wanted to and now I can't because I have unpreditable work schedules. I honestly think it would just make me sad though.

Idk about other helplines, but Childline are really flexible and understanding that you do have a life outside of volunteering. If you've always wanted to do it, there's always the idea to speak to your local office and then maybe then can help you decide?

[Earthquake]

I'm not sure I would be able to not ask for the address, if a child who is being abused, and go make a mess out of the person accused so I will decline. I honour those who can handle this day in, day out

[Joe]

I'm not sure I would be able to not ask for the address, if a child who is being abused, and go make a mess out of the person accused so I will decline. I honour those who can handle this day in, day out

It's difficult yeah, sometimes you just really want to do all you can to protect the young person and unless their in immediate danger, you can't. I appreciate this must be difficult for a lot of people but thanks for the honour and also thanks for reading it and informing yourself, you may not be volunteering but really I appreciate you educating yourself about child protection etc.

[MKR&*42]

I actually looked up some of the Childline volunteer roles a few days ago. They all sound pretty interesting to get involved with, but there isn't anything near me :P (well there's something in Somerset but that's not ''near'' and it's during hours I work).

It's good what you do though :)

[Richie]

I pay my contributions to the system by beating up my children. Bringing customers straight to childlines door, I like to call it, indirect advertising.

[Kyle]

I have a childline idea agency jukebox and badges on habbo so I'm pretty much a fully fledged senior staff member. What kind of calls do you get Joe; or are you not meant to discuss them? I would always threaten my parents that I'd call childline if I didn't get my own way or they told me off but I can't imagine that's what many of the calls are about :P I volunteer at a helpline mostly used by young adults so the calls are usually about stress or depression or whatever and it's hard sometimes to stay detached, can't imagine how hard it would be talking to a kid with no way to actively help them.

[Jazz]

Counselling is very rewarding, I can't do it currently because it'll be a trigger for my own mental illness but when I'm stable I spend most of the time talking to people. It's an incredible feeling when someone says thank you or says that what you've said helps them in some way

[Joe]

I actually looked up some of the Childline volunteer roles a few days ago. They all sound pretty interesting to get involved with, but there isn't anything near me :P (well there's something in Somerset but that's not ''near'' and it's during hours I work).

It's good what you do though :)

That's a shame, they are really location based roles so it's understandable, plus obviously you have a life outside of volunteering so I get it. Thanks so much anyway!


I pay my contributions to the system by beating up my children. Bringing customers straight to childlines door, I like to call it, indirect advertising.

Thank you for your service.


I have a childline idea agency jukebox and badges on habbo so I'm pretty much a fully fledged senior staff member. What kind of calls do you get Joe; or are you not meant to discuss them? I would always threaten my parents that I'd call childline if I didn't get my own way or they told me off but I can't imagine that's what many of the calls are about :P I volunteer at a helpline mostly used by young adults so the calls are usually about stress or depression or whatever and it's hard sometimes to stay detached, can't imagine how hard it would be talking to a kid with no way to actively help them.

I want the Childline furni :(. Yeah, I guess it's the same confidentiality as you - no personal information that could identify the contact but still able to tell the stories they tell. You really get everything you probably get at your helpline - self harm, suicide, sexual relationships, pregnancy, homelessness. Yeah it's so tough, especially when they're younger than me and you just want to hug them and save them from their troubles. It's exactly the opposite, so easy to get emotionally attached, you just have to shake it off and get over it.


Counselling is very rewarding, I can't do it currently because it'll be a trigger for my own mental illness but when I'm stable I spend most of the time talking to people. It's an incredible feeling when someone says thank you or says that what you've said helps them in some way

Understandable, hope everything's okay for you. It's so lovely that you give back in the way you can regardless of any mental illness. And yes, it's the most fulfilled I've ever felt in my life.

[Becca]

I volunteered ages ago, starting up again for summer. It's for a really good cause, I've managed to meet so many different people.