Volunteer Counsellors Wanted

Our team of volunteer counsellors make an invaluable contribution to life at Nottingham Counselling Service (NCS). 

With their support, we are able to make our counselling and therapy services more affordable and accessible to all.  Would you like to join our team of volunteer counsellors?

To apply to become a volunteer counsellor, please contact us on 0115 950 1743.

Currently, more than 40 volunteer counsellors practice with us and we are looking for more.  The volunteers are people of all ages and backgrounds – representing the diverse range of clients we see.

Our volunteer counsellors bring to the therapeutic service a wealth and breadth of personal experiences, and are all supported with training and guidance.

To apply for a volunteer counsellor position, you must hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and have received regular supervision.

Before volunteering at Nottingham Counselling Service, all our volunteer counsellors complete our in-house induction training programme and will be expected to take on a minimum of two clients per week. 

At present, we have over 60 practising counsellors each with a case load of 2-3 clients whom they support weekly for between 6-18 months (on average).  We also provide counselling for local employers – providing support for employees experiencing personal or work related problems.

As a result, volunteers can expect to work with a varied caseload of clients.

Training and Support for Volunteer Counsellors

All volunteer counsellors receive one hour of individual and three hours of group supervision per month free-of-charge.

Volunteering provides great opportunities for networking and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). We can assist you to work towards BACP, UKCP or other professional accreditation by certifying the log of the counselling hours achieved.

Once you have achieved 200 hours of practising and 70 hours of clinical supervision, when appropriate training has been completed, Nottingham Counselling Service will upgrade you status internally to Approved Counsellor.

If you are an experienced counsellor or a therapist interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact us about our selection process.

Expenses

We do not expect you to make any financial contribution to the service. We will pay or reimburse qualified and experienced volunteer counsellors reasonable travel and associated expenses, according to our current rates.

What Our Volunteer Counsellors Think

“I feel able to contribute freely within the group.  My triumphs and tribulations are aired openly and honestly in a non-judgmental setting.  Ideas and opinions can be shared freely.”

“I feel the group is very relaxed and all are approachable and sincere.  Feedback is great.  I am able to share my clients and reflect on feedback given so I find the group very useful as part of my work with clients.”

“Positive, constructive, useful diversity of group members.  Very supportive and the sharing of ideas/theories gives useful insight.”

“Office staff are friendly and efficient.  Suggestions box is available and memos are usually clear and courteous. There seems to be a move to include counsellors in decision-making, e.g. changes in clients’ payments and methods of paying.”

“I feel that the organisation is well run and accessible.”

“I feel really happy to be part of it.”