[Hiring] Telechat Volunteer @Australian Red Cross

Role Description

The Telechat program is an Australian Red Cross social support initiative 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.

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

• 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

Qualifications

• Be willing to join a nationwide team delivering a social inclusion program within Aged and Community Care
• Possess excellent communication and active listening skills
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and provide inclusive support to people from diverse backgrounds

Requirements

• Make friendly and engaging social support calls to a matched participant
• Build rapport and meaningful connections through regular conversations
• 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

Benefits

• 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

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 at [email protected] .

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

Red Cross strives to create a safe and inclusive culture with wellbeing at its centre. We embrace diversity and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with different lived experiences, abilities, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. We are a child safe organisation with zero tolerance of any harm to children.