Volunteer Training & Support

Senior Help Line volunteers receive an initial training programme covering listening skills and dealing with specific issues such as bereavement, suicide and elder abuse. Ongoing residential and one day refresher training is provided throughout the year. These provide a discussion and policy forum, offer volunteers a chance to meet and network, and receive support from the national office. Volunteers also learn about self-care, mutual support and stress management. Each centre also has an easy-to-use reference manual enabling callers to be signpost to other services as appropriate.

In addition, ‘People Who Need People’, the volunteer magazine is posted to the home address of each volunteer. It provides Senior Help Line news, comment and support, information about older issues in Ireland, helpful references and contacts.