Volunteering FAQVolunteers play a crucial role in providing support and counselling to women and men who have experienced sexual violation/sexualised trauma. The help lines are staffed solely by volunteers and it continues to be the backbone of the service providing information, support and counselling. It is often the first point of contact for women and men when taking the first step towards acknowledging the impact of sexualised trauma on their lives. What is PARCS looking for in a potential volunteer?
You need to be 18 years or over
You must be able to work within the policies & procedures of the service
You must be reliable
Be emotionally robust enough to work openly with issues of sexual violation
A team player
Openness to learning & development
Good listening skills
Life skills/transferable skills What might stop me becoming a volunteer?
Existing clients are not able to volunteer
Ex-clients cannot volunteer for the help line, until they have had a 5 year break from counselling Please discuss with a member of staff if you wish to volunteer & your counselling ended 5 years or more ago
You cannot volunteer for the help line if you are in a relationship with a past or current service user
Friends, relatives or supporters of a current client are not able to volunteer
What commitment does PARCS ask for?
The successful completion of PARCS Selection/Training process
Volunteers play a vital part in staffing the help lines, which operate Monday afternoons (1.00 PM – 3.00 PM) Wednesday & Friday evenings (7.00 PM & 10.00 PM)
Individual volunteers work the lines twice a month, answering calls from women & men who have experienced sexual violation/violence
Group supervision of telephone work takes place fortnightly on a Tuesday evening for 2 hours. Volunteers are asked to attend supervision regularly to support their work
Volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of 2½ hours per-week Volunteers are asked to attend a minimum of 2 tutorials a year to provide support for their volunteering role and to identify areas of development Volunteers are asked to complete a six month probation period following their selection as help line volunteers
Q: I could cover the help lines on a Friday evening but I am unable to cover it on Wednesday evening would this be a problem?
A: This is quite usual & will not be an issue.
Q: Will I get paid expenses?
A: PARCS aims to pay out of pocket expenses whenever possible and as budgets allow
What do I need to do to apply?
Complete an Application Form
Clinical Placements / Psychotherapy Placements
Portsmouth Area Rape Crisis Service offers a number of placements to trainee and qualified counsellors/psychotherapists who have completed their training and want to accumulate client hours or broaden their therapeutic experience.
PARCS welcome applications from volunteers seeking a placement at any time throughout the year. Our therapeutic work is long-term and consequently we ask for a commitment of several years. We accept applications from a wide range of theoretical backgrounds.
What we offer
1. In-house supervision in accordance with BACP guidelines.
2. A comprehensive in-house training programme which runs throughout the year, at weekends. All of our workshops are designed to support and develop the skills required to work with clients addressing the legacy of sexualised trauma. Various issues are covered including how to work with self injury, traumatic symptomology, and the process of shame.
3. Written ‘progress reports’ as required by training institutions.
4. An opportunity to meet and train with other women and men who volunteer with the centre.
5. Access to various articles relating to this area of therapeutic work.
PARCS undertakes Criminal Records Bureau checks (CRB), we do not charge you for this. Your Questions Answered
What theoretical orientation does PARCS subscribe to?
We have adopted a broadly integrative model of working with a particular interest in developing more effective ways of working with the legacy of sexualised trauma. PARCS is able to accommodate volunteers from a variety of theoretical backgrounds. The agency will do its best to accommodate individual needs wherever possible.
What sort of commitment does PARCS require?
PARCS generally asks for volunteers to provide therapy for three clients a week, however, this commitment is negotiable. The organisation also requires volunteer counsellors to attend in-house supervision according to BACP/UKCP guidelines. Occasionally volunteer counsellors arrange and pay for external supervision with the agency’s agreement.
Do I have to attend the training?
PARCS provides high quality in-house training and although there is no obligation to attend workshops most volunteers attend at lease one workshop a year. The training provides an opportunity to meet with other colleagues and develop as a practitioner.
Do I have to pay for my own insurance?
PARCS provides the insurance cover needed for your work at the centre.
Will I be able to choose the hours that I volunteer?
PARCS will do its best to accommodate your needs. However, the organisation may not always be able to meet individual requirements due to the availability of rooms and staff supervision. The agency currently does not open at weekends.
Do I have to be in personal therapy?
Most volunteer counsellors are in personal therapy to support their development as clinicians.
How do I apply?
Please contact the general office number 023 9266 9513 or email our office This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like further information. To download our Volunteer counsellor application form please click here.
Other volunteering opportunities
There are many areas that already benefits from the time, energy & experience that the volunteers bring to our service. We are aware that whilst some people may want to volunteer for PARCS they may not necessarily want to work/have the necessary skills for the help line or client work. We are continually developing the role of the volunteers & are now looking to expand into other areas including:
If you would like to volunteer for PARCS and have not found something listed that you want to do, then why not email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ring her on 02392 669514 to discuss other possibilities? |
