Volunteer
Volunteer with us!
The national Crime Victims Helpline, freephone 116 006, is a listening and support service for victims of crime in Ireland. Our aim is to support, inform and empower victims and all those impacted by crime. We provide time and space for victims to talk about their experiences. We also provide information about the criminal justice system and referrals to victim support services in the community.
What’s Involved
The Crime Victims Helpline is currently recruiting for our Autumn Volunteer Training Programme.
We are seeking friendly, reliable people to provide telephone support to our Helpline callers for 3-hours a week Monday through Friday between the hours of 10.00 am and 7.30 pm. Volunteers answer the helpline from the CVH office in Dublin 2 as well as remotely (dependent upon training, experience and technology).
Volunteers must be warm, compassionate and non-judgmental. You must also be comfortable providing information and exploring options with callers without telling them what to do. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life and value diversity. Due to the nature of the work, fluent English is a must.
A minimum two-year commitment is required and extensive training is provided. All volunteers are subject to Garda vetting and reference checks.
Next Steps
- Application- Complete and return application to mariem@crimevictimshelpline.ie.
- Interview – Once we receive your completed application, you will be contacted to arrange for an interview over Zoom. Shortly afterwards we will notify you whether you have been selected for training.
- Training – You will receive extensive training on active listening skills; the criminal justice system; crime victims’ rights; and resources that are available in the community for victims of crime.
Training takes place in two modules:
Module 1: 14th October or 15th October
Module 2: 21st October or 22nd October
You are required to complete two full days of training (Module 1 and Module 2).
If you are not able to commit to attend both Modules (1 and 2), we request that you wait until our next recruitment drive in January 2023 to apply.
- Observation – If invited to progress to the next step of training, you will shadow an experienced volunteer or staff member on the Helpline. This will allow you the opportunity to ask questions, familiarise yourself with the technology and record-keeping process and confirm whether you are comfortable with the requirements of the role.
- Helpline Calls – When you are ready, you will begin to take Helpline calls. You will be supervised during this stage so that we can provide you with support and guidance after each call.
- Volunteer Agreement – Once steps one through five are satisfactorily completed and it is mutually agreed that the role is a good fit, you will be offered a regular volunteer position on the Helpline.