Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse

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Charity No. 1124282
Company No. 6525343

Patron:
Prof. Germaine Greer

©CARA 2008
Updated: June 30, 2008

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Volunteering For CARA

Volunteering as a Counsellor or Advocate

Most CARA volunteers work as counsellors or Advocates. For other volunteering opportunities please scroll down.

Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse normally holds training for new counsellors and advocates once or twice a year. This usually takes place over 7 full Saturdays.

Each new trainee will need to undertake an initial interview and an end of training assessment. Once it has been mutually agreed that they are ready to start seeing clients we would expect that volunteering with CARA will take up approximately 15 hours each month. This includes clinical supervision, which is arranged by CARA.

Volunteers can expect:

	Formal training covering basic counselling skills and specific information relevant to the work of the Line. Topics will include: Listening skills, Myths and Realities of Rape, ‘Date Rape’, Child Abuse and Incest, Sexual Health, Rape and the Criminal Justice System, Self Harm and Suicide, Reactions to Rape, Ritual Abuse, Drug and Alcohol abuse and Eating Disorders.
	Visits to the Sympathetic Interview Suite in Colchester and the GUM Clinic.
	Role Plays.
	A formal written assessment of what has been learnt during training.

Written recognition on successful completion of the training course.

Free, professional supervision on a regular basis.

On-going training. This includes conferences, workshops and visits to and from other relevant agencies.

The opportunity to undertake face to face work or outreach and advocacy work where appropriate

Please note that completion of the initial training scheme does not guarantee acceptance as a CARA member.

To apply to act as a volunteer for CARA, please go to the

volunteer application form

Other Volunteering Opportunities

CARA recognises that working directly with survivors of sexual violence is not for everyone, and we often have enquiries from people who want to volunteer their services to contribute towards the general running of our service, but who don’t want to get involved on a personal level with our callers. It is important therefore, that we have a range of volunteering opportunities available, not only for the above reason, but also to enable volunteers to utilise the unique skills and experience that they bring to the Line. Currently we have a volunteer who does all of our graphic design work i.e. designing our leaflets, logos and stationery and helps to keep our website maintained and monitored and, of course those who volunteer as members of the Management Committee.

We are always happy to hear from women who would like to sit on our Management Committee or to help with fundraising or administrative work.

As our work expands and evolves, so the diversity of opportunities will continue to grow.

To apply to act as a volunteer for CARA please go to the

volunteer application form

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