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Drawing on over 40 years specialist experience our training offers clear, trauma-informed approaches to understanding self-harm and how to respond with confidence and compassion.
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Become a Remote Volunteer

Listening Support Services Volunteer (Remote)

Become a Remote Text Service Volunteer

Sift has been supporting people affected by self-harm for 40 years. Our wonderful team of volunteers provide valuable, non-judgemental listening to a community that often faces stigma, misunderstanding and a lack of support. 

We’re currently recruiting remote volunteers to work across our helpline, text and email services. These volunteers work from their homes across the UK. 

Our next volunteer training course takes place online over Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October. Volunteers attend all four dates to complete the training. 

Practical details:   

  • An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this role, which will be paid for by Sift.   
  • Volunteers train on and work across all three of our services – helpline, text and email – on a rota basis. 
  • We ask that volunteers commit to a year on the service after completion of training. Unfortunately we are unable to offer shorter-term opportunities. 
  • We’re looking for volunteers who are available on the training dates mentioned above and are free to volunteer once a week on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. 
Apply Now

By volunteering with us, you'll:

  • Develop valuable knowledge around self-harm, trauma, and mental health and transferable skills in active listening.
  • Meet supportive, like-minded peers on shift, as well as at our quarterly Volunteer Days where you'll receive additional relevant training. 
  • Get support from our coordinators and volunteer team through supervision and reflective practice, ensuring you're always emotionally and practically supported in the work you do.
  • Develop a gentle, transformative approach to mental health support that can be applied elsewhere in life.
  • Transform the lives of an overlooked and misunderstood community.

When you join our team, you’ll take part in our four-day online training course. The training is an opportunity to meet new people and learn the valuable skills you’ll take with you into the work.  

Working on the service, you’ll answer calls, texts and emails from people impacted by self-harm and offer them confidential, emotional support to understand their own experiences and make decisions that are right for them. 

Every quarter, you’ll meet a group of your peers to discuss volunteering and have a safe and confidential space to reflect on the work. 

Anybody! We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. You may have your own experiences of self-harm or mental health challenges, or be keen to learn how to support others through the same.

We're looking for volunteers who can listen with empathy and demonstrate an understanding that everyone’s situation is unique. We're keen to recruit volunteers who are flexible, adaptable, and open to new learning experiences.

You don’t need previous listening or counselling experience: just an open mind, a commitment to the role, and a willingness to learn.

After you submit the application form, we'll get in touch to arrange a chat if we feel you're the right fit for our services. We have limited training spaces available and may only be able to respond if your application is successful. If you don’t hear back from us this time, we recommend following us on LinkedIn or checking our website periodically for training opportunities in 2027.

Other Volunteering Opportunities

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Bristol Volunteering

Join our Helpline and Text Service Team from our HQ in Bristol.

We’re looking for open-minded people who want to support those affected by self-harm on the phone and via text as part of our Listening Services. You don’t need previous helpline or counselling experience. All we ask is that volunteers make a commitment to the role, have a willingness to learn, can provide empathy and show an understanding that everyone’s situation is personal and unique. See our FAQs to find out more and apply today.

Apply Now
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Become a Trustee

Help the charity deliver on its Vision and Values whilst impacting the lives of people affected by self-harm.

We are looking for individuals who will work effectively with other members of the trustee board to set the strategic direction of the organisation and to ensure that it works to meet its aims and objectives within a sound financial and legal framework. We are particularly looking for people with experience in Legal, Strategy and Business Development, HR, and Board Secretary.

Read Person Specification
Apply Now
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Support Our Operations

Use your skills to support our organisation in other ways.

Are you looking to build upon your experience? Do you have skills in design, marketing, photography, videography, project management or other skills that could help us to expand and raise awareness of our services? Or perhaps you’re studying for a qualification in psychology or counselling and want to get some valuable work experience? We want to hear from you.

Contact Us
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“Volunteering has transformed my life, my mental health, and my career. I couldn't recommend it more highly.” Morgan, Text Service Volunteer