Volunteering at a rape crisis centre | East Kent Rape Crisis Centre

Getting Involved & Work for us

Get involved

Find out how you can help and join the team

Current opportunities

Thank you for your interest in working with East Kent Rape Crisis Centre.

We do not have any job openings at this time, but please do check back for future opportunities.

Volunteering with us

The role

Volunteering on our phone lines involves answering calls from everyone affected by sexual violence or coercion regardless of gender or age. The role involves listening to callers and providing a safe space. Our phone lines are operate on alternate days from Monday to Friday 6.30pm – 9.30pm.

About you

Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for women who are committed, empathetic, resilient and have excellent listening skills. It is extremely important to us that you are applying for this role because you are committed to supporting others long term. Therefore, you need to be able to commit to volunteering 2 evenings per month as a minimum requirement for a period of at least 1 year.

Training

In order to be successful in this role you will be required to first succesfully complete our helpline training course and assessment process.

Attendance of all sessions is mandatory, dates of next course TBC.

How to apply

We undertake 2 training courses a year. If you would like more information regarding when the next one will be, please call us on 01227 451753. Alternatively, you can email us at info@ekrcc.org.uk.

We do require references and a DBS check and you must be over 18 years old to apply. This role is only open to women due to the nature of the work.

Hear from our volunteers

Level 4 Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling

Are you in the 2nd year of your Level 4 Counselling training looking for a placement?

Would you like to complete our specialist Level 4 Rape and Sexual Abuse counselling training?

If so, please email training@ekrcc.org.uk to register your interest and find out more.

My story is as unique to me as yours is to you, but these differences, as well as our varied

backgrounds, ages, personalities etc. mean that we are well placed to contribute to the steering committee and ensuring that the voice of lived experience is embedded in any service changes or new initiatives. By volunteering a small part of your time you can help not only the service, but those that come after us that will use it. Please consider contributing your knowledge and expertise by becoming part of the safe space that is the committee, and know that your insights and contributions will be valued and heard.

"I have been a volunteer on the EKRCC helpline since November 2019, which means I have the privilege of speaking to and supporting people who call the support and crisis helplines. Being able to work on the lines throughout the lockdown period was particularly valuable, as it was a time when many of us needed that extra bit of support."

Julia, Helpline Volunteer
"Every conversation I have with callers is entirely different, because every person calling is different. Some callers just want an informal chat, and some want to gain reassurance or support to help them understand their experiences. Everyone is welcome to call and the women on the helpline are ready to listen and to walk alongside callers in whatever they wish to bring. I am looking forward to joining the counselling team in the near future."

Julia, Helpline Volunteer
"As a fierce feminist, I have been driven to fight for women, and true equality, for as long as I can remember. I feel that it is woven in my DNA, and I have an innate drive to stand up for women and women’s rights. For those in our community who are marginalised, I exercise the same passions and dedications. Over the last ten years, I have applied this in varying ways, and worked in various roles. I have campaigned against child sexual abuse and try very hard to involve myself in causes where I believe real change needs to occur."

Georgie, Helpline Volunteer
"Within EKRCC, I am a volunteer on the phone line, and I have been with the centre since January 2021. It means a great deal to me to work with the individuals both who call in, and those who work at the centre."

Georgie, Helpline Volunteer

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"I am passionate about changing the experience for these people, and shifting the dialogue that has existed within our society with survivors of sexual crime. I initially trained as an artist, and attended art school for ten years, which was a formative experience. It taught me a lot about myself, and also gave me great insights into perspective, change and relativity. I believe the experience has also assisted me in speaking with others."

Georgie, Helpline Volunteer

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"I started my training in January 2021 so I have been volunteering for 5 months now. I wanted to join EKRCC because when I had my own experience with trauma I didn't have the support I needed; and I didn't want anyone else to feel that they were alone."

Chloe, Helpline Volunteer

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"I truly believe that just having someone to talk to can make all the difference. I love volunteering on the support line and will continue to help EKRCC whenever I can."

Chloe, Helpline Volunteer

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Interested in free online training?

Complete our survey to register your interest and help us to pick the topics that will be most useful to you.

Go to survey

East Kent Rape Crisis Centre,

P.O Box 353,

Canterbury

CT2 9WA

Registered Charity 1017581

Proud to be the only Specialist Rape and Sexual Abuse Service in Kent to hold the National Service Standards of

Rape Crisis England and Wales and The Survivors Trust UKAS Accreditation for service provision

Get involved

Find out how you can help and join the team

"Within EKRCC, I am a volunteer on the phone line, and I have been with the centre since January 2021. It means a great deal to me to work with the individuals both who call in, and those who work at the centre."

"I started my training in January 2021 so I have been volunteering for 5 months now. I wanted to join EKRCC because when I had my own experience with trauma I didn't have the support I needed; and I didn't want anyone else to feel that they were alone."

"I truly believe that just having someone to talk to can make all the difference. I love volunteering on the support line and will continue to help EKRCC whenever I can."

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