More Counsellors needed for phone service

With the growing need for telephone counselling services throughout the Waikato region, LifeLine Waikato is again seeking additional volunteers to take on training as phone counsellors.

As well, this year, LifeLine Waikato is offering training to those who don’t necessarily want to become phone counsellors, but who are interested in obtaining counselling knowledge for
personal or professional reasons.

A trainee-counsellor selection day is to be held by the service in Hamilton on Sunday, March 4. Shelley Walker, director of LifeLine Waikato, says the service already has 60 counsellors but at least another 15 are needed to cater to the expanding need by members of the public from throughout the central North Island.

“The training covers 54 hours spread over 10 weeks, in Hamilton, and those seeking to become counsellors do not necessarily need to have previous counselling knowledge or a social services background,” she says. “We need people who are empathetic to others, are understanding and non-judgmental.” She says the training is provided by professionally qualified personnel, and the service hopes trained counsellors will give of up to two years of voluntary, part-time service.

Further information is available from Hamilton (07) 838-0715.