Volunteering With Lifeline

Lifeline Shanghai relies on the time and efforts of volunteers in Shanghai. These volunteers work in a number of capacities—delivering Lifeline Shanghai's telephone helpline services, raising funds, attending outreach events, conducting administrative duties, etc.

The possibilities are endless, and volunteering is an enriching experience for both the individual and Lifeline Shanghai.

When you volunteer with Lifeline Shanghai, you make a positive difference in the lives of other members of our international community, as well as a positive difference in yourself.

To be accepted into the Lifeline Training Program and to be able to relate to our callers we ask that all applicants have at least 1-year's experience living as an expatriate,a minimum of 6-months living in Shanghai, a minimum age of 21 years and a good level of English.

“Lifeline is a community of people who value open mindedness, non-judgmental listening, empathy and a collegial commitment to the service they’re providing. They have become my community”

- Lifeline Volunteer Intake Coordinator

Benefits

• Learn practical skills
  
• Enhance self-awareness
• Potential career opportunities
• Opportunity to give back to your community

• Belong to the Lifeline Shanghai community
• Ongoing support in your work with Lifeline Shanghai
• Some forms of volunteering offer accreditation opportunities

Who Gets to Help?

People who will:

• Undertake training
• Fulfill shifts on a regular basis (a minimum of two four-hour shifts a month)
• Work within the mission, vision, and values of Lifeline Shanghai

People who have:

• Good communication skills
• Good listening skills
• A non-judgmental attitude

It's very important that everyone goes through the training, whether or not they end up answering the helpline, because it gives them a much deeper understanding of the organization- not just what we do, but why we do it.

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New Volunteer Training

To ensure quality and uniformity of service, all new volunteers are required to attend a three-day training. Full-time attendance is mandatory. The fee for the coverage of the training costs and meals is 800RMB per trainee and is to be paid upon arrival the first day.

• An introduction to Lifeline and the Lifeline board
  
• Lifeline code of ethics
• Helping via the telephone 
• Communication skills 
• Role playing 
• Dealing with difficult calls 
• Ex-pat issues in Shanghai
• Relationship difficulties

• Crisis 
  
• Suicide prevention and intervention 
• Addictions 
• Loss, grief and bereavement 
• Mental Illness 
• Orientation to the role of a Lifeline volunteer 
• Peer support and supervision 
• Self-care

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Training Evaluation

Throughout the training course, Lifeline training coordinators and trainers will evaluate the suitability of each trainee for working on the telephone line. After the successful completion of all of these activities, the trainees will receive a training attendance certification. Even though some trainees may not successfully meet the requirements for working on Lifeline, they will have gained beneficial information and skills that can be used in many other areas of life.

Training Schedule

Dates: September 23/24 and 30 
During the intermittent week between the sessions, all trainees will be required to attend one buddy Lifeline shift (four hours in length) with an experienced volunteer. After the training is over, the trainee will be asked to sign up for one more buddy shift. The helpline training course is presented entirely by Lifeline volunteers. After a few months of experience on Lifeline, new volunteers who are interested in assisting with future volunteer training programs are encouraged to do so.