NIGHTLINE CO-ORDINATOR

Would you like an ambitious volunteering opportunity, which offers a high level of variety and responsibility? Oh, AND a bursary of up to £2000.00?

USW Nightline provide an anonymous and confidential through-the-night (8pm tp 8am) listening, emotional support and information service, run by students for students. Nightline is part of a national network and works to improve student mental health and wellbeing and is available when other University welfare services are usually closed. Operating to five core principles – confidential, anonymous, no-judgemental, non-directive, non-advisory – the fully trained volunteers empathise and provide information; they listen, not lecture. To make sure that the service is run efficiently and develops to its full potential, a Nightline Co-ordinator is required. The Co-ordinator will organise volunteer rotas, help with training, offer support and work closely with the Nightline Oversight Group, the Students’ Union and the University’s Wellbeing Service.

Full, ongoing training, mentoring and support will be given, along with opportunities for networking across the national Nightline organisation. You will develop and enhance your skills in communication, organisation, management and IT and gain a raft of experience that will help you secure a job in your chosen profession.In additional, the role will attract a bursary of up to £2000.00, subject to performance criteria being met.

We are aware that some of the information you will come across in this role may have an effect on your own mental wellbeing and would encourage you to give this serious consideration before applying.Experience of mental health issues is essential and we recognise that this may include personal experiences. However, it is important to seriously consider whether you feel emotionally well enough to volunteer at this time.

As a minimum, all of our volunteers, including the Co-ordinator, must be:

  • over 18
  • willing to learn
  • willing to understand others’ points of view
  • respectful of the way that others are
  • demonstrate good emotional self-care
  • comfortable with themselves and able to cope with their own feelings
  • understanding of issues related to the mental health of students
  • self motivated and organised
  • able to work as part of a team
  • able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • able to recognise the importance of confidentiality

In addition, USW Nightline will expect the Co-ordinator to display the additional qualities listed below.

The Nightline service and the role of the Co-ordinator will be continually monitored and reviewed.
Nightline Co-ordinator

Based at:Treforest Campus, but travel between sites may be required.

Reporting to:Membership Services Manager

Grade & Salary:Voluntary. A bursary of up to £2000.00 is payable, subject to performance review

Hours:Approximately 4 per week plus one service shift per fortnight.

Fixed Term:From 1stSeptember 2016 to 30th June 2017

Job Purpose:To provide day-to-day co-ordination of the Nightline Service

Key Responsibilities:

  • To act as the public face of and the point of contact for USW Nightline
  • To ensure the smooth running of the service during agreed service hours
  • To attend all training as specified by the Oversight Group
  • To actively participate in the recruitment of new volunteers to deliver the service
  • To assist in the development and delivery of the Volunteer Training Programme
  • To ensure that anonymity and confidentiality of all aspects of the service is maintained
  • To attend Nightline Association annual conference
  • To positively contribute to the monitoring and review process
  • To produce an annual service report
  • To liaise with relevant partners, both internal and external, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the provision of the above services

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Specific Knowledge & Experience
Previous supervisory experience / Previous work as a Nightline Volunteer or similar
Experience of working within a team environment / Experience of working within a member-led organisation
Experience of volunteer management within the charity sector
Awareness of mental health wellbeing within the higher education sector
Skills and Abilities
Responsible and reliable
Effective time management
Excellent written and verbal communication
skills
Good Organisation and administration skills
Ability to manage volunteers
Good networking/liaising capabilities
Excellent customer care skills – discreet,
committed to equal opportunities,
understanding of diversity
Qualifications, Education & Training
Enrolled as a continuing student at the University of South Wales
Other Requirements
Positive and enthusiastic attitude, with a passion for volunteers and creating change
Be able to use own initiative and work within a team
Commitment to achieving high standards
Enjoy interacting with a range of individuals, approachable and friendly, empathetic and understanding

Applications

To apply, please submit your CV and supporting letter, which should detail how you meet the criteria laid out in the job and person specification. Completed applications should be sent to:

Rhiannon Jones,

Membership Services Manager,

USWSU, Forest Grove, Treforest. CF37 1UF

and must arrive no later than Friday 19th August 2016.

Suggested Training

  • Reflective and Active listening skills
  • Speaking Skills
  • Telephone listening skills
  • Mental Health and Illness awareness (Mental Health First Aid)
  • Managing sex and sexuality calls
  • Managing self-harm and suicide calls
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  • Managing abusive callers
  • Managing silent calls
  • Information giving