Sue has been with the Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland team for almost nine years. She is a mum and first joined as a volunteer Crisis Supporter after feeling a strong calling to help those in crisis, having seen family and friends struggle with their own mental health.
“At the time I was working in a day spa and often found myself in the role of accidental counsellor to the clients I pampered,” says Sue. “This role enabled me to connect with a wide variety of people and prepared me to become a Crisis Supporter.”
Sue undertook ten weeks of training followed by student placements where she took calls with the support of a qualified mentor beside her.
“At first I did find some of the calls confronting,” says Sue. “But the compassion I felt for our help-seekers really worked to overpower the intensity of what I was hearing.”
Five years in and Sue was brought on as a paid Crisis Supporter, just as COVID-19 hit. She was emotional support to countless people throughout the pandemic period of lockdowns, isolation and anxiety. More recently, she’s transitioned into the practice lead role, coaching and taking care of a strong team of volunteer Crisis Supporters.
“Training volunteers is a core component of my role, but another critical part is overseeing wellness initiatives to enhance their own wellbeing,” says Sue. “This is just so important given the content they’re exposed to in their roles.”
The team at Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland is made up of people with a wide range of backgrounds, ages, nationalities and experiences, something Sue says makes for great diversity in the team.
“I think it’s helped by the fact that these days we have such flexible training and volunteering schedules,” says Sue. “Most people can easily make volunteering with us fit with the rest of their life, whether they’re a stay-at-home parent, a retiree or working in a corporate office in the city.”
Right now, the team is recruiting for new volunteer Crisis Supporters to help manage the increase of calls from people in distress due to the current economic environment.
If you have empathy, resilience, open-mindedness, commitment and good communication, then we’d love to hear from you. Please register your interest at wesleymission.org.au/lifeline-sydney-sutherland/new-volunteer
*Name and photo changed to protect privacy.
