Home Based Volunteer Opportunity – Helpline Volunteer
Support families. Change lives. Make a difference.
Coram Family Lives has been supporting families for over 40 years, founded by volunteers who believed that no parent should reach crisis point without somewhere to turn.
We know that the right support at the right time can make all the difference, and we provide early intervention and crisis support to families across the UK.
Our Purpose
- Mission: We build better family lives together
- Vision: Every family has access to support and understanding
- Values: Trustworthy • Compassionate • Collaborative
About the Role
Join our team of dedicated volunteers providing empathetic, confidential support to parents and carers via our helpline.
You’ll support callers on a wide range of issues including:
- Separation and divorce
- Isolation and mental health
- Bullying and abuse
- Behavioural challenges
This is a fully remote role, with volunteers based across the UK, supported by our team.
What’s Involved
- Deliver compassionate, non-judgemental listening support
- Provide information and signposting where appropriate
- Complete one weekly 4-hour shift (3 hours calls + debrief)
- Work from home with ongoing supervision and support
What We’re Looking For
We welcome volunteers from a range of backgrounds who:
- Have experience of parenting or working with children/young people
- Are strong listeners with a caring, empathetic approach
- Are willing to learn and reflect
- Have good IT skills and a private workspace at home
You will need:
- Laptop/PC and plug-in headset
- Reliable internet connection
- A private, quiet space
- To be a UK resident
Training & Support
We provide:
- A comprehensive remote training programme (5 sessions via Microsoft Teams)
- Opportunities to listen to live calls before starting
- Ongoing supervision and support from a named staff member
- Regular Practice Development Groups to build your skills
Why Volunteer with Us?
Volunteers consistently tell us how rewarding the experience is. You will:
- Be part of a supportive and compassionate community
- Gain valuable skills and experience
- Build confidence and enhance your CV
- Make a real difference to families in need
- Experience a strong sense of achievement and fulfilment
Commitment
We ask for a 12-month commitment where possible (with flexibility for holidays and life circumstances).
Important Information
- All roles are subject to a satisfactory DBS check (paid for by Coram Family Lives)
- Training runs throughout the year – if you can’t attend current dates, we encourage you to apply anyway
Interested?
To request a role description and application form, please contact:
📧 [email protected]
Or apply online:
🔗 https://www.coramfamilylives.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/local-opportunities/volunteering-from-home
Join us and help ensure every family has someone to turn to when it matters most.
Coram Family Lives was formed over fifty years ago by volunteers, with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reached crisis point. We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference. This continues to be our mission today and we are extremely proud that we are still providing vital support to families. We couldn’t do this without the unwavering generosity and compassion of our volunteers who know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.
Our services
We believe in the power of active support and understanding. That’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of resources, including our national helpline, online chat, email support, and a resource-rich website. For families in need of more intensive support, we provide a range of direct services across various locations in England and Wales. The issues we support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, neurodiversity, and emotional and mental wellbeing.
The expertise, generosity and compassion of our staff and volunteers is at the heart of everything we do, and we work together with them to support families through our range of services. We are, and have always been, a volunteer-led organisation – we simply could not do it without them alongside our staff. Many of our volunteers began their relationship with us as service users but have stayed to support others on their journey – a testament to the support they themselves received.
Coram Campus,
41 Brunswick Square,
London,
WC1N 1AZ
United Kingdom