Volunteer
Our Volunteer Support Workers are trained in WIRE’s unique feminist, strength-based service delivery model.
Volunteer support worker training
Our Volunteer Support Workers are trained in WIRE’s unique feminist, strength-based service delivery model. Volunteer Support Workers are active listeners in the lives of callers who contact WIRE for support. If developing your listening skills, providing support and getting hands-on experience sounds like something you’d like do, join us!
Why volunteer at WIRE?
With 40 years’ experience, WIRE is Victoria’s leading free generalist service in Victoria. The Volunteer Support Worker Training is delivered in person and includes:
- Interactive workshops
- Role plays
- Guest speakers from other services
- Assigned readings
- Hands-on experience answering phone calls on WIRE’s support line
Becoming a volunteer support worker at WIRE
The volunteer support worker training will support you to:
- Build on your active listening skills
- Engage your critical thinking skills
- Work as part of a team to support callers
- Be guided by experienced WIRE team leaders
Selection Process:
If you’re a woman or gender diverse person aged over 21 and interested in completing the training, you will need to:
- RSVP to an invitation to attend an Information Session about the course.
- Attend a 90-minute, online Information Session.
- Attend a 90-minute Group Interview (in person).
- Submit a brief application form.
Costs:
- $178 — concession (healthcare card holders)
- $250 — full-time students
- $340 — full price
Commitments:
Next Volunteer Training to commence on Wednesday, 14th August 2024. Please sign up in the Expression of Interest below to be updated on the next course.
If you are selected to be part of the training program, you will need to commit to the:
- 5 sessions run over three weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays
- Phone-based training
- One volunteer support worker shift per fortnight over a minimum of 12 months
Scholarships:
WIRE offers three scholarships for each intake to Support Worker training. These are available to the following groups:
ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER WOMEN, AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman, and gender-diverse person.
TRANS, NON-BINARY AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for a trans, and gender-diverse person.
SEEKING ASYLUM/NEWLY ARRIVED OR REFUGEE WOMEN, and GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE
One free place is available in each training course for a woman, and gender diverse person who is seeking asylum, newly arrived or a refugee. Women, and gender diverse people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds with strong spoken English language skills are encouraged to apply.
WOMEN, AND GENDER-DIVERSE PEOPLE OVER 50
In recognition of the inspirational work of WIRE’s founders in 1984, one free place will be available in each training course for a woman, and gender-diverse person over 50 who is currently seeking work or wanting to return to work.
For more information on scholarships, please email our Education and Training Coordinator at training@wire.org.au.
Police Record Check
WIRE is required by the DFFH to undertake a National Police Record Check on all trainees. If you have lived outside of Australia for more than 12 months in the last 10 years you will need to get an International Police Record Check at your own cost. Having a police record does not automatically mean that you can’t volunteer with us. You are welcome to discuss this with us when you are applying (training@wire.org.au).
Working with Children’s Check
You will also be required to get a Working with Children’s Check. This Check is free for volunteers and WIRE will provide you with information on how to get it.
Other ways to volunteer with WIRE
If you would like to volunteer at WIRE in a different way (administration, training, content creation, event organizing) please email Jane O’Hanlon (training@wire.org.au) to express your interest and hear more.
