North London Rape Crisis

NORTH LONDON RAPE CRISIS

Information for New Helpline Volunteers

Who are we?

We are one of the four Rape Crisis centres covering the London area. Our purpose is to respond to sexual violence against women and girls by offering them high-quality and specialised support after the trauma of rape, believing each woman and girl and being alongside them whenever they choose to come to us. We work with women and girls over the age of 13 who have experienced any form of sexual violence who live, work or study in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea. This can include child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, prostitution and harmful practices.

We provide free and confidential support, including:

 One-to-one specialist counselling;

 A range of therapeutic groups in the daytime and evening;

 Advice and information from our Independent Sexual Violence Advisers;

 A telephone help line and email service – for survivors, their supporters & other agencies to access support and information;

 Training about the topic of sexual violence and rape to interested parties and other organisations;

 Campaign against violence towards women and girls.

What kind of support are we looking for?

We are looking for volunteers to work on the helpline which provides 21 hours a week of emotional support and practical information to survivors of sexual violence and those supporting them. The helpline and email service are also the main point of access into NLRC’s services so the volunteer position will involve other administrative duties as well as taking calls and answering emails. We receive calls from survivors who have experienced or are currently experiencing sexual violence and

1 it is our duty to provide callers the space in which they are able to talk about their deepest feelings and their most traumatic memories, providing the information they might need in relation to other services such as forensic medical examinations, reporting to the police and the criminal justice process.

The aim of the helpline is to provide callers a safe space to make sense of what has happened to them in a women -centred and trusting environment. It also enables survivors, their close relatives, partners or friends as well as other agencies, the opportunity to access support and information about legal and police procedures or any other relevant services.

Other kinds of help are needed while not taking calls including:

 Raising awareness around the issues of sexual violence;  Fundraising and organising social events;  Administrative support.

Who can volunteer?

No previous experience is required as full training will be provided. We are looking for female volunteers over the age of 18 who can commit for 12 hours a month, for 12 months after training and have an understating around the issues of sexual violence. For more information please refer to the ‘NLRC Helpline Volunteer Role Description’ document.

What can we offer you?

We offer an OCN accredited qualification for 'Professionals working in the Sexual Violence Sector' at level 2 or 3 upon successful completion of the training programme and associated written assessments. After the training we will offer a one year helpline volunteer position with NLRC upon two satisfactory reference, DBS check and completion of a satisfactory probationary period. The training programme will enable you to support female survivors of sexual violence by developing non-directive listening skills and getting the necessary knowledge and awareness to provide information to survivors, their supporters and other agencies.

NLRC reimburses volunteers out of pocket expenses and will provide full support as well as monthly group supervision sessions.

When and for how long is the training programme?

2 The helpline training is delivered over a 3 month period and is made up of 9 core sessions held from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Fridays. Potential volunteers would have to commit to attend 9 full day training sessions taking place every Friday staring 4th December 2015 until 12th February 2016 excluding the two bank holiday Fridays. 80% of your attendance is required to work towards the qualification and become a Rape Crisis helpline volunteer.

What does the training involve?

The training will cover techniques for working on the helpline such as taking crisis calls, listening skills and taking care of yourself. You will learn about feminism, rape & sexual assault, the law and reporting, self-harm & coping strategies and myths & stereotypes around rape and sexual abuse. The training will be followed by a period of probation shadowing an experienced worker until you are fully confident to take calls yourself.

The training requires a commitment to self-awareness and self-reflection. The OCN qualification also requires the completion of a number of written assignments in your own time and attendance at a half way course tutorial to discuss your progress.

How do you apply?

We ask that you complete the application form enclosed, subject to which we invite you to an informal interview. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you and for you to ask more questions about the organisation. The names of two referees requested on the application form will only be taken up if you are accepted onto the training course. Following the interview and upon successful acceptance onto the training programme we will go ahead with a DBS check. If you haven’t heard from us by Thursday 29th October your application was not successful this time.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 26th October, interviews will take place the 6th & 9th November and training commences on Friday 4th December. Please return completed form to [email protected] or Volunteering Coordinator, Units 5-7, Blenheim Court, 62 Brewery Road, N7 9NY making sure it reaches us before the deadline.