Corporate Volunteers Wanted for Counselling Service
27 March 2008 at 11:08 am
Demand for volunteer counsellors for one of Australia’s unique services to people facing life threatening illnesses is being stretched to capacity and the organisation is turning to the corporates for much needed volunteer assistance.
Life Goes On (formerly Can Survive) was founded in December 2000 by author and psychotherapist, Joel Nathan.
A 24-year survivor of leukaemia with two recurrences, lung cancer, renal failure and five-way coronary by-pass surgery, Nathan knew from personal experience that the emotional and spiritual distress suffered by people facing a life threatening disease was often neglected by the medical profession.
He created Life Goes On to help fill the gap via a telephone counselling service and new online service.
Nathan says the telephone counselling is the only one of its kind, offering comfort and guidance to patients and their carers facing all serious physical illnesses.
All the counsellors are volunteers who have suffered a life threatening illness or have cared for a loved one and all have been intensely trained. The service operates throughout Australia 24 hours, seven days for the price of a local call.
The new online service has both trained volunteer and professional counsellors.
Joel Nathan says demand for the service is increasing and volunteer counsellors need to commit to the extensive training program.
Nathan says the training is a two-way benefit for the volunteers who also learn about their own issues about dealing with a life threatening illness as well as passing on their skills and knowledge to others.
Life Goes On’s next training program starts on May 24th and interested volunteers are interviewed before taking part as they have to agree to an intense training program until September 6th.
For more information go to www.lifegoeson.org.au or call 1300 886 212
