Volunteers

Volunteers are an important part of Abuse & Rape Crisis Support - Manawatu (ARCS) and we welcome enquiries as to how to become a volunteer with our organization.

Volunteer Training

All volunteers must complete the ARCS training program before starting work with our organization. The training is run annually and includes at least one Saturday afternoon (1- 5 pm) session followed by weekly sessions in the evening, 7 – 9 pm. The training looks at the various aspects of sexual violence (e.g. definitions, myths, effects, legal, medical, resources and so on) as well as the communication skills needed for working with survivors of sexual violence and their families.

The next training intake is expected to be early in 2010

Once training has been successfully completed, new volunteers will be supported in their chosen roles through our buddy support system.

Volunteers are required to commit to 12 months working with ARCS after the completion of their training.

Police Checks, Confidentiality Code & Declaration of Non Violence
All ARCS staff, including volunteers, are required to undergo a police check and to sign our Confidentiality Code and Declaration of Non Violence.

Volunteer Roles

Telephone Crisis Line – the telephone crisis line is staffed by volunteers between 8 pm and 8 am, Monday to Sunday. The Centre’s telephone line is diverted to the volunteer’s home phone (or mobile) so that the call is being answered directly by the volunteer in their own home. Volunteers are rostered onto the Crisis Line, with the frequency being approximately one evening per fortnight (depending on the number of volunteers available). Only female volunteers are able to staff the telephone crisis line roster.

Face-to-Face Support – on some occasions (although not very often), volunteers are asked to support a client face-to-face. This is usually when a survivor is making a police statement, undergoing a medical or attending court, although may also include meetings for general support. ARCS is very aware of safety issues for all staff and we operate within a procedures to maximize safety (e.g. two staff attending face-to-face meetings).

Education – volunteers are welcome to co-facilitate any training delivered by ARCS. Training programs are delivered in high schools and to community organizations.

Office – some volunteer hours may be available in the ARCS office doing general administrative tasks or working on specific projects.

Board Members – ARCS operates under a Board of Governance. Our constitution allows for up to six Board Members, whose role it is to set the strategic direction for the organisation and monitor and evaluate ARCS services, the Manager, and both paid and unpaid staff.   

Ongoing Training and Support

Volunteers attend a monthly peer support meeting where they are able to discuss calls they have dealt with (respecting confidentiality) and receive updates on what is happening in our organization.

ARCS also offers an ongoing training program looking at issues related to sexual violence (e.g. domestic violence, mental health). These sessions are held in the evening on a quarterly basis.

ARCS also operates a policy of professional development where by volunteers can apply for approval to attend external training (with costs being covered by ARCS) that is relevant to our organization.

More Information

For more information on volunteering with ARCS please contact us.