Text About It

Volunteering FAQs

Get answers to the most frequently-asked questions about 50808.

 

  VOLUNTEERING FAQS


HOW CAN I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

Click here to apply!

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A VOLUNTEER?

To become a Text About It Volunteer, you must:

  1. Be over 18
  2. Consent to reference checks
  3. Agree to help a texter regardless of the reason they are in crisis (e.g., a texter is coming out as gay, is considering an abortion, etc.)
  4. Be comfortable to address topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health
  5. Commit to the 30-hour training over the next month or two
  6. Commit to 200 total hours of volunteering
  7. Have a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift

HOW DO VOLUNTEERS SEND AND RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM TEXTERS?

Our volunteers interact with texters through our secure online platform, from a personal laptop or desktop computer, during their scheduled shifts. Neither volunteers nor texters can see the other's phone number.


WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS?

We ask our volunteers to commit to volunteering 200 total hours. Four hours per week for a year or two hours per week for two years is the usual initial commitment we expect.

HOW ARE VOLUNTEERS TRAINED?

Our volunteers graduate from a six-week, 30-hour program that includes: video modules that cover (a) specific skills such as good contact techniques
(b) issues such as self-harm, suicide, depression, bullying, Traveller community issues and LGBTI+ issues, as well as quizzes, role plays, and observations shifts.

WHEN DOES THE NEXT ROUND OF VOLUNTEER TRAINING START?

We accept applications on a rolling basis. New training cohorts start regularly, so apply whenever you're ready. We’re excited to meet you!

CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR COLLEGE MODULE CREDIT?

We love students and welcome them to apply to volunteer with us! Our 200-hour commitment applies to all our Volunteers, including those who are volunteering to meet a shorter external commitment. Text About It is not able to serve as a field placement for MSW and similar programmes. We cannot provide personal performance evaluations, letters of recommendation, field instruction, or in-person/remote campus visits.

ARE VOLUNTEERS SUPERVISED?

Yes. Our experienced, full-time staff Supervisors oversee and assist our volunteers on the platform.