Counsellor volunteer roles
Are you looking for a fresh challenge that makes a positive difference to the lives of Young People throughout the UK?
At Childline we are actively recruiting new Volunteers.
What will I be doing?
- Your shift will consist of 3hrs30mns counselling, sandwiched between a 15mns brief before your shift and a 30mns debrief post shift. This is to ensure that you can start and finish your shift with any support you require from your Practitioners.
- On shift you will take contacts from Young People who rely on the service that Childline offers. Childline is not there to solve problems, we are a listening service for Young People and in each contact your role is to engage the Young Person, explore their situation and to support them in deciding their next steps.
- The contacts you would take from Young People can come in 3 ways. Traditional phone call contacts, live chats via instant response typed messaging or less commonly via 'PIBS' which are essentially emails sent by Young People in the knowledge the response will not be 'live' and instant.
What impact will this have?
- Childline is a unique service, valued greatly by the Young People who contact us.
- It provides a safe place for Young People to talk confidentially to our Volunteer Counsellors, an option that many of them do not have elsewhere.
- Young People rely on us being there for them 24/7. In an average month, Childline London takes approx. 1,500 live chats, 900 voice calls and 300 PIBs.
- However, the demand for the service often outstrips the supply as Young People who desperately need our service cannot always get through.
- That is why we are actively recruiting new Volunteers to be able to meet the need of all Young People who are in distress and need the support that Childline provides.
Training
- Childline offers a full 12 week online training programme to new Volunteers. This consists of one 4 hour session per week.
- During the training, you will meet other Volunteers in your cohort and have access to your 2 dedicated Childline Trainers.
- As part of the training, you will also go in person to the London Base for observation and mentored shifts which give you a face to face insight into how the Counselling Room works.
- You will also have access to a dedicated Volunteer Engagement Lead to give you a London Base tour (optional) and generally be on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have - big or small, if they matter to you they matter because you are giving your time to volunteer and Childline wants to offer you every level of support.
- Once you pass through training and become a qualified Childline Volunteer Counsellor, the development opportunities do not stop there. You will have access to a multitude of mandatory and optional training courses that are accredited and 100% free to all Volunteers.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
Childline provides a safe place for Young People to talk confidentially to Volunteer Counsellors, an option that many of them do not have elsewhere.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Richmond Carers Centre, a network partner of Carers Trust, is a registered charity providing information, support, advice and a voice for carers living and caring in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Helping Carers to Live Well is our organisational aim. We are looking for someone with the skills and ability to offer a coordinated approach in supporting unpaid and family adult carers in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Carers provide vital support and can come from all walks of life and be of any age.
As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will be part of a small dedicated team and directly deliver our counselling service to adult carers. You will provide regular counselling sessions for carers each week. These will either be face-to-face at our centre or can be via a remote offer using either a video platform such as MS Teams or by telephone. The counselling service is part of a range of services offered to support carers with their emotional wellbeing. This work helps to enhance carers’ health and wellbeing. It also provides carers with a much needed break from their caring responsibilities, in a safe environment where they can focus on their wellbeing.
With your proven experience of working with carers or other vulnerable groups on an individual and/or group basis, you’ll recognise the importance of being client focused and have a commitment to enhance the lives of carers. You will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of carer’s needs and a wide range of skills in relation to working with individuals and groups.
You will be self-motivated and positive in your approach to working with both carers and staff and have a willingness to embrace our organisational values. Strong administrative, time management, IT and organisational skills are essential.
Benefits of volunteering for Richmond Carers Centre:
- Clinical supervision every fortnight
- Flexible working with counselling either offered face-to-face or remotely
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Training and personal development opportunities
- Access to shared resources and training opportunities
- Supportive and friendly working environment
- Staff and volunteer socials
Please use the application form only. CVs will not be accepted
Provisional interview date – February 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may appoint before the advert closes. Early applications are encouraged.
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call us and ask to speak to Sophie Richardson, Operations Manager or Ellie Wright, Interim Adult Carers Support Team Leader.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our Child and Family Support Team (CFST) provides counselling and therapeutic support to children, young people, and their families – including siblings, parents, grandparents, and carers. We’re looking for volunteer counsellors to join our dedicated team to help increase our reach, making sure everyone can receive the support they need in some of life’s toughest moments.
Please note, we cannot accept student counsellors on placement in this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.
What you’ll do
You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.
What you’ll get
You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.
What we’ll need from you
Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.
We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.
Who’s right for the role?
While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.
- Passionate about helping young people and children
- Great communication skills
- Empathetic and perceptive
- able to think on your feet
- works well within a team
- emotional resilience
Why volunteer with us?
Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.
You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
Childline counsellors are there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them- you'll be there to support them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Founded in 2013, Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is a charity that has supported the mental health of thousands of women across Sussex.
Over the last decade, we have developed a skilled and experienced therapy team, who offer a range of services to help women address the issues life throws at them.
Our support is unique as everything we do is created and led by qualified counsellors, and we have become best known for our Therapeutic Groups and Wellbeing Days for mums. We also run a 1:1 counselling service for women, supporting them through those other challenges in life and are in the process of setting up couples counselling.
We are looking for qualified female counsellors or CBT therapists to provide 3 or more 1-1 or couples therapy online and to deliver weekly sessions for up to 18 weeks for 50 minutes. Counsellors can join an optional peer supervision group and our quarterly team catch up.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for a volunteer who:
Deliver counselling sessions via our online system Cliniko.
Write factual client notes that are stored within Cliniko.
Raise any safeguarding issues with the Clinical Lead.
Skills
Please note we do not have a student counselling placement as all of our counsellors are qualified.
Qualified counsellor/CBT therapist at a minimum of level 4 from one of the below-accredited organisations
Registered practitioner with BACP, UKCP, BABCP, BPS or HCPC
Current DBS check or willing to have one carried out
Experience of safeguarding procedures
Experience working with female clients with a range of issues
What difference will you make?
Your support will help improve the mental health and wellbeing of women by reducing isolation and empowering women to bring about positive change in their lives.
* This post is only open to female applicants as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
The successful candidate will join a highly regarded women-led, women-centred, and trauma-informed charity
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
Signpost offers one-to-one counselling, coaching, outreach, creative therapies, group therapy, and parent support for children and young people aged 5-25.
Detailed description
We are seeking qualified and compassionate children’s counsellors with specialisms in play therapy, art therapy, or drama therapy to volunteer their time and skills to support children navigating emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges. As a Volunteer Therapist, you will provide a safe, creative, and therapeutic environment where children can express themselves and begin to heal.
·Provide 1:1 or small group therapeutic sessions using your specialised modality (play, art, or drama).
·Build trusting relationships with children to support emotional expression and psychological wellbeing.
·Collaborate with staff and carers to ensure continuity and appropriateness of support.
·Maintain clear and confidential records of sessions and observations.
·Participate in supervision (where applicable) and team meetings.
·Support safeguarding and child protection practices in line with organisational policies.
Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities
·A recognised qualification in Play Therapy, Art Therapy, or Drama Therapy (BACP registration required)
·Experience working therapeutically with children and young people.
·A trauma-informed, child-centred approach to counselling and therapy.
·Excellent communication, empathy, and listening skills.
· A commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality, and safeguarding.
·Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS prior to starting).
Training / Support
·A full induction to Signpost will be provided
·Requirement to complete mandatory online training
·A menu of optional training will also be made available
·Ongoing support and regular 1:1/supervision sessions
·Reimbursement of travel expenses (if applicable).
·Opportunities to attend team meetings and One YMCA events, socials and conferences
Additional Information
·x 2 references required
·Valid insurance cover
Registered Charity
101 - 500
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.