Volunteer Counsellor

Location: Gloucestershire
Days: 1 day per week

About Via in Gloucestershire

Via’s Gloucestershire service is a support service for adults and young people who are affected by drug and alcohol problems. We have a dedicated team of substance misuse practitioners who work alongside other professionals including doctors, nurses, psychologists and therapists in Gloucestershire.

About the counselling service

Our counselling service provides service users with the opportunity to meet in private with a counsellor for typically at least 12 weekly, fifty-minute sessions to discuss issues and concerns, which are currently making life difficult. These could include any of the following and more: addictions, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm, relationship difficulties, loss of purpose or meaning, family difficulties, loss and bereavement, anger, depression, trauma etc.

How you can help

As a Volunteer Counsellor, you’ll:

• See a minimum of 3 clients and a maximum of 6 clients per week (1 day).
• Keep accurate records of work in line with Via expectations and feedback any issues to the line manager (counselling lead) and clinical supervisor.
• Attend ongoing training in discussion with your clinical supervisor.
• Adhere to all Via policies and procedures.

In addition to the above you will be invited to participate in meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the counselling service.

What skills do Ineed?

The role would be ideal for someone looking to develop their therapeutic experience in the drug and alcohol field and accrue some counselling hours towards your future accreditation with BPS, BACK, UKCP. While some knowledge of the sector is desirable, we are specifically looking for people who have a passion for the work that we do. A positive attitude and the desire to learn are essential, as is a non-judgemental and supportive approach to people who are facing problems with drugs and alcohol.

To ensure good practice standards and to maximise the safety of both the therapists and the clients at Via we require all students to confirm and adhere to the following:

• Trainees are in their final year of an undergraduate degree or equivalent or are at a postgraduate level. Alternatively, students should be in their third year of a Diploma, BSc or MSc in counselling or psychotherapy training.
• If students are not in the third year of their Diploma, BSc, or MSc in counselling or psychotherapy training, trainees need to be in their second year (at least) but have undertaken (or be prepared to undertake prior to seeing clients) significant and appropriate training.
• Trainees are recommended to be a member of one of the counselling governing bodies BACP, BPS or UKCP.
• Trainees may need to have conducted a minimum number of counselling hours.
• Trainees are working or intend to work towards counselling, psychology or psychotherapy accreditation.
• Previous details of supervisor and present college tutor information should be sent to Via and agree that Via can ask supervisor and tutor for references.

What Via can offer you

When you begin volunteering, you will be allocated a line manager (counselling lead), who will act as your main point of contact in your Via service. He/she will provide you with ongoing support and will work closely with you throughout your time at Via. You will be also allocated a clinical counselling supervisor, who will provide fortnightly phone counselling supervision. There is also a central volunteer services team that will support you while you are on placement. In addition, you can expect:

• A full induction to your role and continuous local training
• Access to central staff training opportunities
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses and lunch expenses

Interested?

• Find out more about our Gloucestershire service.
• Check out our FAQs.
• Download our Volunteer Application Form.
• Download our Volunteer Equal Opportunities Form.

We look forward to hearing from you

Please note: we ask that volunteers counsellors try to commit for at least one year where possible.