Volunteering
The centre is run by a small team of full and part time workers.
We are interested in receiving applications for volunteering in any of the following three capacities. We are keen to encourage applications from older people, people with disabilities and from ethnic minority communities.
Counselling
As a counsellor, you can be either a Volunteer Counsellor or a Volunteer Supervisor, depending on experience.
VOLUNTEER COUNSELLORS
Volunteer Counsellors have a variety of qualifications and experience. Their counselling qualifications vary from MA, Diploma, Certificate, qualifications in Supervision, and those who are currently studying for professional qualifications. We require women who are applying to become volunteer counsellors to:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have a minimum of a Certificate in Counselling and are studying towards a diploma or equivalent
- Have commitment to ongoing counselling training.
- Have suitable life experiences that will help them in working with distress.
- Complete an application form- providing two references.
- Attend interview
- Complete our training course- Rape Crisis Counselling
If accepted on to the training course, trainees are required to sign a learning agreement. The course is 8 full days. Trainees are required to attend all training sessions:
- On successful completion of the course, there is a period of induction at the Centre.
- On completion of 50 hours supervised counselling, Trainees are awarded a Certificate in Rape Crisis Counselling.
Volunteer counsellors make a commitment of working with us for a minimum of 2 years and:
- Provide counselling for a minimum of 3 clients per week.
- Attend the Centre for equivalent of 1 day or 1 evening per week.
- Attend ongoing training sessions arranged by the Service.
- Attend regular supervision sessions of thier counselling work.
- All personnel are required to sign our Confidentiality Policy and abide by all of the Centre's policies (e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety).
VOLUNTEER SUPERVISORS
Volunteer Supervisors have a variety of qualifications and experience. Their counselling qualifications vary from MA, Diploma, Certificate and qualifications in Supervision. We require people who are applying to become volunteer supervisors to:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have studied to a minimum of Certificate in Counselling.
- Have a minimum of 450 hours counselling experience.
- Have supervision qualifications or be working towards gaining such a qualification.
- Have suitable life experiences that will help them understand working with the issues of sexual violence.
- Complete an application form- providing two references.
- Attend interview.
- Complete our induction programme.
Volunteer supervisors make a commitment of working with us for a minimum of 2 years and:
- Provide supervision at the centre for a minimum of 3 supervisees- 1.5 hours per month each.
- Attend monthly supervision consultancy.
- Attend monthly supervisors group.
- All personnel are required to sign our Confidentiality Policy and abide by all of the Centre's Policies (e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety).
Regular, ongoing training sessions are arranged by the Service- volunteer supervisors are encouraged to attend as part of their ongoing development.
What we offer volunteer counsellors and supervisors
- Counselling experience- working in a person centred way in the specific area of sexual violence.
- Supervision - is an integral part of working with the Service and is provided to a minimum of 1.5 hours per month.
- Supervision experience - consultancy and group meetings to volunteers working towards a supervision qualification.
- Workshops - on relevant issues are organised to provide ongoing training for volunteers.
- Insurance - we have Professional Liability Insurance cover with the Smithson Mason Group and Employers Liability Cover with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group.
- Expenses - we pay volunteers ‘out of pocket' expenses to a maximum of £5 per day.
- Access - the centre has disabled access. It is not necessary for volunteers to drive or own their own vehicle.
Trustees
Savana is a Registered Charity and a Board of Trustees has responsibility for the organisation. All of the Trustees are volunteers. The Trustees work in the North Staffordshire area. They have a variety of qualifications. Their skills and experience include:
- Management
- Information Technology
- Business Planning
- Partnership Working
- Psychiatry
What do we need from Board Members?
- Time and experience- at minimum we usually meet monthly for 2 hours, plus working on a sub-committee
- People who are interested in the issues and keen to promote equality
- People whose experiences in life or in a professional capacity, can complement those of the existing members
We value input from all backgrounds and in particular are interested in hearing from those who can offer their skills in areas such as: Public Relations/Marketing, Fund-raising, Accountancy, Law and Commerce.
What we can offer to members of our Board:
- A supportive environment
- Induction
- Training for example: 'Being a Trustee', (run by Voluntary Action), Bi-monthly training sessions for all volunteers on various relevant issues
- Experience- an opportunity to develop old skills and find new ones
- The opportunity to be part of a team of women working to influence policy and thinking around the issue of sexual violence
- Travel costs
Volunteer Admin
Volunteers have a variety of qualifications and experience.
We require people who apply to become volunteers:
- To be at least 18 years old.
- To have a commitment to ongoing training.
- To complete an application form - providing two references.
- To attend interview
- To complete any training
- To complete our induction day
If accepted, volunteers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- There is a period of induction at the Centre including a full day induction session
- Volunteers are required to attend any mandatory training.
Volunteers are invited to make a commitment to work with us for a minimum of 1 year and:
- To provide support for a minimum of 3 hours per week.
- To attend regular line management sessions to monitor progress.
- To sign our Confidentiality Policy and abide by all of the Centre’s policies (e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety). This is required of all Savana staff and volunteers.
What do we offer volunteers?
- Experience working in an environment that deals with clients in the specific area of sexual violence.
- Supervision an integral part of working with the Service and is provided to a minimum of 1.5 hours per month.
- Supportive environment providing mentoring, information and a reading library.
- Training/workshops on relevant issues are organised to provide ongoing training for volunteers.
- Insurance we have Professional Liability Insurance cover with Towergate SMG Professional Risks and Employers Liability Cover with the Norwich Union through Mercer Jones & Company Limited.
- Expenses we pay volunteers ‘out of pocket’ expenses to a maximum of £5 per day.
- Opportunity to, when qualified to certificate level in counselling and subject to annual review results, be accepted onto our annual training to become a volunteer counsellor within our organisation.
Other
If you have other skills e.g. fundraising or publicity, and would like to volunteer for us, please contact us to discuss whether you may be able to help.