Volunteer

Careline Volunteers

Our confidential, friendly and supportive National Freephone Careline offers a listening ear and practical guidance for family carers who care for loved ones with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction.

We work towards improving family carer wellbeing across seven key areas: (1) health; (2) emotional wellbeing; (3) finances; (4) work/education; (5) the caring role; (6) life at home; and (7) time for themselves.

Our Careline Volunteers offer information and guidance. We also sign-post family carers who need additional support to the appropriate person/place.

Careline Volunteers will work remotely, from their own homes. Equipment to enable this will be provided by the organisation.

What you will be doing

The Careline Volunteer’s role will include the following tasks and duties:

• Answer calls in to the Careline in a timely and professional manner;
• Provide prompt and accurate information to callers;
• Provide an essential listening and supporting service;
• Refer callers, as required, to the appropriate support centre;
• Maintain accurate records/logs of calls received on the organisation’s CRM system;
• Be conscious at all times of the need to support family carers;
• Be open to continuous training and development for the role;
• Be aware of their own boundaries and methods of self-care.

Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate, equivalent or higher;
• Individuals with knowledge of family carers would be a strong asset;
• Ideally the volunteer will have some experience of working on a help-line.

Key requirements

• A warm personality with an enthusiasm for helping others;
• Excellent communication and active listening skills;
• Good IT skills with access to broadband;
• Non-judgemental, open, empathic and welcoming.

Volunteer application

Please click the button below to fill out a volunteer application form.

Apply now

Contact us

For further information, contact volunteer@familycarers.ie.