Are you the kind of person who enjoys helping others and who is prepared to help support others’ decision without needing to fix their problems for them? Are you prepared to learn and challenge your own beliefs, and be open to issues that affect people of sexualities and genders other than your own? Do you have time and energy available to commit to volunteering?
If so, you like to consider joining the wonderful team of volunteer counsellors at GLCS. GLCS provide an invaluable service to the community, providing support, referral and information. Mark Woodham from GLCS told OUTinPerth that contrary to perceived lessening of the need for GLBTI counselling services in the wake of the improved legal equality conditions, the number of calls over the last five years has remained steady, whilst the nature and severity of issues facing people seeking help remain as difficult as they were twenty years ago. With ongoing demand from the community for GLBTI relevant counselling, GLCS are on the lookout for enough volunteers to staff their counselling line hours.
The role of counsellor with the service is a challenging one, but it is also a rewarding opportunity to really make a difference in other peoples lives. Mark Woodham explained that the “strength of the anonymous chat line is that often people just simply need someone to chat to. In that context what we can do is enormously helpful. It’s not professional counselling, and it’s not rocket science. It’s peer based counselling which means moving people through the immediate situation to find resources.’ According to Mark, counsellors are not expected to be therapists, they have a role more akin to skilled helpers.
On April first, GLCS are beginning a new round of their training course for prospective telephone counsellors. The course comprises 10 sessions over a period of roughly six weeks, and is an intensive introduction to the skills necessary to telephone counselling on GLBTIQ issues. Following training, counsellors undertake supervised practise with experienced counsellors before becoming ratified counsellors. Mark Woodham said that regardless of whether they have gone on to take up roles as volunteer counsellors, many past trainees had put the skills, knowledge and personal development acquired in their GLCS training to good use in a wide variety of organisations throughout the wider community.
Trainee counsellors for GLCS must be over 18, GLBT-identifying and financial members of GLCS. There is a small administrative charge to assist covering the costs of holding such training. If you are interested joining the April training course, phone GLCS on 9486 9855, or write to admin@glcs.org.au
