Volunteering at Switchboard
Switchboard aims to provide peer-driven support services for LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, asexual) people, their families, allies and communities. Our volunteers are peers; therefore all volunteers must be LGBTIQA+ or questioning. You must be over 18 to volunteer with Switchboard Victoria.
Please read information below about volunteering with our different programs and register either by signing up to an info session for those wanting to volunteer with out Out and About visiting program, or filling in the form below for any of our other programs.
Information you provide to us will be kept strictly confidential; only Switchboard staff will have access to these details.
We welcome, value and support applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people who are trans and/or gender diverse, intersex, asexual, living with disability, who work in the sex industry, younger, older, live regionally or rurally, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour or People of Faith.
+ LGBTIQ+ peer support (teleweb service)
Switchboard is the Victorian partner of QLife, a national organisation that provides peer-based telephone and web support services (click here to read more about this program).
Switchboard peer supporters are trained volunteers who identify as being part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual + communities. Our volunteers are committed to working within a framework of respect and anonymity.
We aim to be intersectional, feminist and anti-oppressive (strengths based) in our work, to meet people where they are at.
We aim to listen, to connect and understand and offer information and referral, if appropriate.
Interested in becoming a peer supporter? The work we do is hard, many of the people we talk to have experienced stigma, sexuality and gender-based discrimination, family and intimate partner violence, complex mental health issues, ageism, discrimination due to disability, structural violence, racism, sexism and experience suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
We would invite you to reflect on these issues and consider if you are ready to have conversations that include these difficult topics. While we can provide you with training and a framework to do the work you need to be a resilient, emotionally intelligent and mature person. Do you have the time and capacity to take on this important and vital work as a peer supporter on QLife? Click here to read our QLife volunteer peer supporter position description.
Please note, the training comprises 11 sessions over 10 weeks and involves some additional learning outside of training hours. While the training is delivered half in person and half online, the telephone/webchat shifts are in person in our office to ensure that volunteers are supported.
If you are looking to do a student placement on QLife with us, please fill in the EOI form and then get directly in touch with Volunteer Coordinator to discuss this possibility at fiona.w@switchboard.org.au
How to apply: If you are interested in hearing more about what’s involved, and would like to submit an expression of interest for the training course, please complete the form above. We’ll get in touch with you with information about the next training course.
The QLife volunteer training course is run twice a year, with one intake occurring in February/March and the other in August/September. We are currently accepting expressions of interest so get in touch!
+ Out and About Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme
About you:
- Are you a member of the LGBTIQA+ community living in Victoria who wants to make a difference in the lives of older people at risk of social isolation?
- Looking to make new friends?
- Enjoy a chat and a cuppa with members of your community?
- Craving connection and purpose or have skills to share?
The role:
As a volunteer with Out and About you will:
- Be matched with a program participant by one of our experienced staff,
- Visit your new friend regularly and stay in touch,
- Visits could be at their home, a café, you could attend events together or see a movie - it's up to the two of you!
We have participants all over Victoria so don't let where you live stop you from getting in touch.
Why volunteer with us?
Our participants have all had unique and interesting lives and experiences, they have and abundance of stories, knowledge and friendship to share. As LGBTIQA+ folks we know how important finding and connecting with our community is and how much of a difference it can make to have someone who understands you.
You could be that person for one of our amazing participants, and they could be that for you!
Sounds great! What now?
We've made it super simple, there's only 2 steps!
+ Make a suggestion
Do you have a particular interest or ability? Please get in contact via the form above and let us know how we might be able to work together. We’ll get in contact with you if our needs match.