Counselling Volunteer

To deliver counselling sessions to support women whose lives have been affected by domestic violence.

To work in line with The Haven Work Plan and Funder outcomes, ensuring women experience improved wellbeing throughout the course of their individual journey.

To use monitoring tools to measure the therapeutic journey and track differences made, in line with project outcomes.

Keep client records alongside data that ensures progress and recognises key areas where support is required.

What skills and abilities will I need to have?

• Facilitate one-to-one counselling sessions in a variety of ways (face to face, telephone, online) with women referred to the service.
• To be willing to engage in training regarding addictions, sexual violence, trauma, childhood abuse, honour-based abuse, FGM, forced marriage, coercive control and how behavioural patterns develop.
• To be aware of cultural and religious differences.
• Excellent communication skills including listening, questioning, and assessing in line with counselling requirements.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Possess an organised approach to all tasks with administrative skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately and effectively when faced with difficult situations.
• Ability to prioritise urgent matters and ensure they are dealt with effectively, including safeguarding and ethical referrals.

What are the benefits?

• Work experience that will build your skills in counselling.
• Training and awareness of domestic abuse and related issues.
• Can be used as student placement for 100 hours required counselling practice.
• Working as part of a supportive team with monthly peer supervision and regular check ins available.
• Supporting vulnerable women and children and making a positive difference in their lives.

What activities will I be involved in?

• Conducting talking therapeutic sessions with woman, combining different styles of psychology and psychotherapy in accordance with the needs of each individual.
• Completing initial sessions with women to decide on adequate interventions required.
• Prioritising the safeguarding of women, managing risks, completing MARFs and contacting MASH for additional support as required.
• Ensuring knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding Adults, completing referrals, raising concern where necessary.
• Collaborating with other professionals, learning from them and sharing ideas and techniques that have proven successful.
• Utilising a variety of modalities, adaptable to suit the client’s needs.

Monitoring & Evaluation 

• Adults – Use techniques including Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale (WEMWBS) and the PHQ-9 & GAD-7 to capture responses of women before they receive support and again after to measure the benefits of support received.
• You will record and capture outcomes on our internal database to ensure that keyworkers are aware of how the service user is progressing throughout their counselling journey and monitor risk rates.

Additional Information

Location: The Haven, Wolverhampton

Hours: Varied

Training: Volunteers will be expected to complete the following training:

• Domestic Abuse Awareness (one-day course)
• Safeguarding Adults and Children
• Coercive control

Further training will need to be completed as part of Continual Professional Development in line with The Haven expectations.

Responsible to: Counselling and Wellbeing Lead

Due to the nature of our work, Schedule 9 (1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies therefore applications from women only will be considered.

Under the Care Standards Act 2000, all roles are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).