Aware seeking volunteers to join its Support Team

Aware, Ireland’s national organisation providing support, education and information services for those impacted by depression and bipolar disorder, is seeking new volunteers to join it’s Support Team. Aware relies on the passion and dedication of its community of over 400 volunteers to ensure that the organisation can continue to provide its free support services nationwide, essential services that have a profound impact on individuals and families throughout Ireland.

Aware will host one-hour Information Sessions on Thursday, January 4 and Thursday, January 11 at 6.30pm to allow interested parties to learn more about volunteering with Aware, what the roles involve and to hear current volunteers share their experiences.

Aware is currently recruiting volunteers for the following areas:

Support Line: The Aware Support Line is a crucial service providing callers with telephone support and information about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member who may be experiencing depression, bipolar disorder or other mood related conditions. It operates 365 days a year from 10am to 10pm.

Support & Self Care Groups: Support & Self Care Groups offer a space where people living with depression and bipolar disorder can talk openly with peers, in a group setting and explore the helpful options available. The groups take place virtually via Zoom and phone in, with a number of in-person locations to include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford.

Life Skills Online: Based on the principles of CBT, this is an eight week programme designed to help participants learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways. Participants benefit from the support of an Aware volunteer each week as they work their way through the programme.

These opportunities are available to people all over Ireland aged over 25 years of age for the Support & Self Care Groups and over 21 for the Support Line and Life Skills Online. Aware can facilitate and support remote volunteering. No prior qualifications or experience is required, as comprehensive training as well as ongoing support and education is provided by the organisation. As part of the recruitment process, all volunteers are guided through a series of training sessions to teach them how to respond to various scenarios by allowing clarification, consideration of options and encouraging helpful actions while adhering to Aware’s ethos, policies and procedures.

It is important that potential volunteers are compassionate, possess good communication skills, take direction and show enthusiasm and passion for mental health and the work of Aware. It is also vital that applicants are willing to make a weekly commitment to Aware (three hours), participate in ongoing training as required and are confident using technology.