Telechat Volunteer - National

Availability: Flexible
Time involved: Minimum 1 hour per week

• Ongoing long-term position (minimum 12-month commitment)
• Must be able to commit to making regular scheduled calls to participants, generally once per week
• Flexible calling schedule based on volunteer and participant availability
• Volunteer from your own home
• Typical calls range from 20 minutes to 1 hour
• Statement of Volunteer Service available after 12 months
• Centrelink confirmation of volunteer hours available
• Commitment to participate in mandatory training and ongoing learning requirements

Why Choose to Volunteer with Red Cross?

• Help reduce loneliness and social isolation in your community
• Gain valuable communication and interpersonal skills
• Receive comprehensive training and ongoing support
• Join Australia's largest humanitarian network
• Volunteer flexibly from home, with opportunities to participate in office-based activities and events when available

The Program

Social connection is vital for overall wellbeing. Telechat is an Australian Red Cross social support program designed to reduce social isolation through regular telephone conversations.

Participants are matched with a dedicated volunteer based on shared interests and preferences, helping to build trusted relationships through ongoing conversations, companionship and meaningful social connection. From the comfort of your own home, you can help people stay connected to their community and enjoy a sense of friendship and belonging.

The Opportunity

We are seeking friendly, compassionate and reliable volunteers to join our Telechat program. Volunteers are matched with a participant and make regular scheduled calls at a mutually agreed time, generally once per week.

Calls typically range from 20 minutes to 1 hour and focus on building rapport, providing companionship and creating meaningful social connections. Training and ongoing support are provided to help you succeed in the role.

Key Requirements & Your Commitment

• Be willing to join a nationwide team delivering a social inclusion program within Aged and Community Care.
• Make friendly and engaging social support calls to a matched participant.
• Build rapport and meaningful connections through regular conversations.
• Possess excellent communication and active listening skills.
• Help reduce social isolation through companionship and conversation.
• Respect the privacy, rights and dignity of participants and maintain confidentiality.
• Complete a simple call record after each conversation.
• Follow privacy, safeguarding and escalation procedures.
• Report any concerns regarding participant wellbeing to the Telechat team.
• Utilise email, online forms and basic digital systems as required.
• Maintain clear professional relationships and appropriate boundaries.
• Participate in mandatory learning and development activities.
• Commit to upholding Red Cross policies, the Aged Care Code of Conduct and any related requirements.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and provide inclusive support to people from diverse backgrounds.

Red Cross will ensure you have training, ongoing support and access to other opportunities within the world's largest humanitarian network.

The Impact

As a Telechat volunteer, you'll provide more than conversation. You'll offer companionship, connection and a trusted relationship that can help reduce loneliness and support people to remain connected to their community.

Every call has the potential to create meaningful connection, improve wellbeing and bring friendship and belonging into someone's life. In return, you'll gain valuable insights, develop your communication skills and experience the reward of making a genuine difference through simple, purposeful conversations.

Application Requirements

• Access to your own computer, laptop or smartphone.
• Reliable phone and internet connection.
• All volunteers will be required to undertake a National Police Check, organised through Red Cross.
• Statutory Declaration to be completed if you have been a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than Australia after turning 16 years of age.
• Willingness to comply with Red Cross and Aged Care Codes of Conduct.
• Commitment to maintaining professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.

Further Information

To find out more about this opportunity please contact the Aged and Community Care Volunteer Assistance Team via email telechat@redcross.org.au.

Thank you for considering volunteering with Red Cross. We also have great career opportunities. Please visit: https://www.redcross.org.au/careers/

Purposeful conversations. Meaningful connections. Every call, every week.