Volunteer Application Form

Volunteer Application Form
Thank you for taking the time to volunteer for The HelpLine. When joining The HelpLine family, you will be saving lives and be there to make a difference to the mental wellbeing of our community.

About The HelpLine

The HelpLine is a free, confidential call and messaging service that exists to provide support anywhere, and at any time to anyone who may be experiencing challenges in life. Our trained volunteers offer empathetic support, assisting people who are struggling to cope to move to a place of calm and empowering them to take their next steps to feeling better equipped when facing future issues.

About You

You are kind and empathetic. You are confidential and discreet. You have the ability to remain calm and support people in crisis. You are aware of your own mental health and wellbeing. You are robust. You are comfortable with multi-tasking. You're open minded, reliable and non-judgemental. You're passionate about contributing time to cause such as The HelpLine. If this sounds like you, then this may be the volunteering opportunity you are looking for.

Anonymity

The HelpLine success lies in the anonymity of the callers and YOU, the call handler. We therefore must stress the severity of breaching the confidentiality of your involvement and the anonymity of the other volunteers and the callers. Callers will refrain from calling if they feel they may be speaking to someone they recognise or aware that someone they know could be answering their call.

Therefore, it is essential that before you volunteer, you can assure us that nobody besides your spouse knows that you are undergoing the training and that you may be volunteering for The HelpLine. This includes parents, siblings, children etc. It is necessary to understand that lives depend on this.

About The HelpLine training
- Commitment: you will need to complete a minimum of 15 hours training on The Helpline's bespoke course. Training dates and location will be confirmed closer to the time.
- Learning: you will learn skills to bring people in distress to a place of calm; skills that will be useful to you throughout your life.
- Practising: you'll do role play and other assignments to develop and hone your skills.
- Supporting: our training team is there to help, guide and support throughout the training.
About Volunteering
- The HelpLine training will give you communication, active listening and problem solving skills that are valued by employers and learning institutions and that you'll be able to use in your day-to-day life.
- Weekly shifts: we ask that you do two 2-hour shift per week, working towards a total of 150 hours per year.
- Community: The HelpLine volunteers form a unique and supportive family, who offer support to one another.
- All trainees and volunteers have continuous support from supervisors during their time with us.
- Please note, it is a requirement to have an internet enabled mobile device and computer/tablet. Regular access to WhatsApp is also required.
Once your application form is completed, it will be held on file until the next training course is scheduled. At this point, it will be reviewed by the admin team. You will receive a response from admin within 4 weeks of the course start. If you have any concerns or would like to have a conversation with the administration, or if you need any assistance in completing this form please email volunteer@thehelpline.org.uk.

Please note: Completing the course does not guarantee acceptance as a volunteer. While most participants are offered volunteer roles, final decisions are at the discretion of the board, which reserves the right to decline applications following course completion.

Personal Details
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Date of Birth*

DayMonthYear
Date
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Mobile Number (must have access to WhatsApp)*

Area CodePhone Number
Email (must be a private email that only you have access to)*
example@example.com
Languages Spoken*
Where did you hear about The Helpline? *
If you saw an advert, please specify which publication it was in or social media platform. This will help us focus our attention to the best outlet to maximise sign ups.
Do you prefer having training sessions in the morning or afternoon?*

MorningAfternoon

Technology Requirements
I have a secure, stable internet connection*

Yes
I have a space to work in which other cannot see my screen or overhear my conversations (i.e. not a coffee shop, library or other public setting).*

Yes
I have an internet enabled mobile device*

Yes
I have use of WhatsApp and accept to be added to The HelpLine WhatsApp groups*

Yes

About You
What motivated you to volunteer for The HelpLine?*
What skills and Knowledge do you feel you can use as a HelpLine Volunteer?*
Do you have any formal Qualifications/training that may be relevant to being a HelpLine volunteer? *
(not essential)
Do you have any relevant hobbies or interests that may help you with your role?*
Is there anything we need to know about your health? *
(we ask this to ensure we can support you and preserve your wellbeing)
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?*

How Would You Respond?

There are five examples of messages you might see/hear while volunteering. The exercise is to give you an idea of what to expect and help gauge your own emotional preparedness for this work. You won't be evaluated on your responses here, so just try your best.
Caller: I'm extremely sad all the time for absolutely no reason. I need help. Everything is going wrong.*
Caller: I hate myself so much. I just want to end my life. I feel like such a waste of space. *
Caller: My husband won't stop ignoring me. He does this and it makes me feel worthless. I texted him last night asking to please talk and he still hasn't responded. *
Caller: I'm so angry and overwhelmed right now. The only thing that helps is cutting. I've been trying to stop, but I need relief right now. *
Caller: Last night my parents caught me drinking and they're freaking out. I don't think it's that big of a deal. And if they don't let me go to the party next weekend I'm going to lose it. *

Additional Information

Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974)
As part of our duty of care we need to ask if you have an unspent criminal conviction or are you subject to any criminal registers/orders?

If yes, please provide details and dates. A prior or pending conviction may not prevent you from volunteering, but a failure to disclose information may result in immediate termination of the volunteering. Some roles will require a criminal record check called DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service.)

This information will be kept in strictest confidence.
Do you have anything to disclose?*

No, I have nothing to discloseYes, details are below
Details (if necessary)
Please provide us with two references:

This may be a Rov or colleague but not a family member
Reference One
Name*

First NameLast Name
Position*
Relationship to yourself*
Contact Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Reference Two
Name*

First NameLast Name
Position*
Relationship to yourself*
Contact Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Declaration
We will not share the information on this form with anyone else without getting your permission first.

By signing below, you are giving us permission to store this information on file, and on computer during the time of the application process.

Should you not start volunteering with us the form will be deleted from our records within 3 months after our last communication.
I confirm that I have completed this application form truthfully*

Yes
I confirm that I will be able to do the training on the dates given in the cover letter*

Yes
I have read, understood, and agree to the disclaimers in the application form introduction*

Yes
I confirm that whilst I am doing the training, apart from my spouse (if relevant), I will not disclose my involvement to any other parties*

Yes
I confirm that I will accept the psak of our Rav, R’ Chaim Modche Zahn, on any matters where a rav needs to be consulted*

Yes
Signature*

Clear
Spouses Signature
I First Name* Last Name* husband/wife of First Name* Last Name* understand the importance of the anonymity of all who are involved in the training and volunteering at The HelpLine. I therefore sign below and undertake not to disclose my spouses involvement at any point before, during and after their affiliation with The Helpline
Signature*

Clear
Please prove that you are a human*
Should be Empty:

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Morning (08.00 - 12.00 GMT)
Afternoon (12.00 - 18.00 GMT)
Evening (18.00 - 00.00 GMT)
Night (00.00 - 08.00 GMT)

Volunteer Application Form

Personal Details

Technology Requirements

About You

You and Empathy

How Would You Respond?

Availability

Additional Information

Please provide us with two references:

Declaration

Spouses Signature