About Text About It 50808
Text About It 50808 is a first of its kind for Ireland: a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis - big or small.
From breakups or bullying, to anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings, our Crisis Volunteers are available 24/7 for anonymous text conversations. Our aim is to provide immediate support in the short term and connect people to resources that will help them in the future. The service is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
What's Involved
Our Volunteers support our texters to our 24/7 free crisis text line, via their laptops from the comfort of their homes. 50808 is a text-based non-judgemental listening service. Texters reach out from all around Ireland, about everything from being at the height of a panic attack, being bullied at school, having relationship issues, and experiencing suicidal thoughts. Our volunteers provide a safe space for texters to express and explore how they are feeling and support them to reach a point of calm. Min Hours: Training 30 hours over 6 weeks, then a 2-4 hour commitment per week as a volunteer.
During the training you will:
Learn key skills such as; active listening, how to risk assess for suicide, and crisis management and how to utilise these skills in a text based service.
Access certified training such as the Children’s First certificate and the HSE Land LGBTQIA+ Awarness and Inclusion training. You will also receive specific training that has been developed in conjunction with Pavee Point, on how to support members of the Traveller community.
As a volunteer you will:
Support texters through moments of crisis by responding to text messages via a secure platform on your laptop in a non-judgmental way.
Become part of a volunteer community with 300 volunteers
Have opportunities to continue to develop your skills and further learning.
Volunteers master the skills to show empathy through text, create a solid self-care routine and join a community of volunteers from across the country. The communication approaches explored in the training programme and used with texters are transferable to other situations while the peer-to-peer learning and support between volunteers and supervisors means Crisis Volunteers, just like the texters, are never alone.
The ask:
We ask that our volunteers commit to volunteering for 200 hours with us. This can be achieved through a 2 x 2 hour shift each week for 1 year, or 1 x 2 hour shift per week for two years. Though of course, we hope you stay longer.
Volunteers can choose the times and days that they take their shifts, any time day or night, weekday or weekend. We are currently looking for volunteers for all shifts.
Volunteer Training & Induction
Our volunteers complete a 30 hour, online, self-paced training course over the space of 6 weeks.
Link to volunteer:
Read about volunteering with us here
Signup here:
Sign up link here
What's required for this position
All training is provided. Volunteers do not have to have a background in mental health or crisis support. Our volunteers come from a huge variety of backgrounds.
Required:
Availability to meet the time commitment.
Kindness and compassion for others.
Open-mindedness and a willingness to practice being non-judgemental.
- Computer/ Web/ ICT
- Personable Skills
- Phone Support/ Information Giver
- Youth/ Childcare
Level of English required for this role:
Fluent English
Times and commitment required for this role
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
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| Morning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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| Afternoon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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| Evening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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Minimum time commitment: 1 year
Hours required: 2hrs Weekly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
Volunteering takes place from home. This is an entirely remote role.
Volunteers need to have access to a secure and stable internet connection, as well as a PC or laptop to work from.
Also available in these counties
Cavan, Donegal, Dublin - Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, Dublin - South Dublin County, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary, Offaly
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- References
- Application Form
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Ongoing training opportunities
Volunteers with the following challenges will be supported in this role
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
Yes
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Crisis Volunteering is a challenging and rewarding role. Volunteers will receive high-quality training from the comfort of their homes and at a pace that they decide. Volunteers report that the skills have enhanced their professional and personal lives.
