Volunteer For Support Services

This page contains information for those who would like to volunteer for AWARE’s Support Services.

If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities at AWARE, please refer to our Volunteer Centre.

Counsellors

AWARE does not accept counselling volunteers direct from the public. Counselling volunteer work is open to women with a counselling degree and who are already part of our existing pool of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a counsellor, so please volunteer for one of the positions listed below. After you have volunteered with AWARE for a period of time, you may be eligible to do counselling.

Helpliners

Location: At the AWARE Centre (Block 5 Dover Crescent #01-22)

Hours:

• During weekdays between 3pm to 9:30pm
• shifts of 2 to 3 hours are set according to your availability

Expected commitment

• Completion of training course: Weekly, for 15 weeks (every Tuesday evening);
• Two 3-hour slots per month, for 1 year, between the hours of 3pm to 9:30pm

AWARE’s Helpline is a key component of our Support Services and has been providing support to women throughout Singapore since 1990. Its purpose is to offer empathy, support, encouragement and referrals to women in need of assistance. The Helpline is operated solely by trained volunteers.

Every year, AWARE offers an intensive training programme to a new batch of dedicated and passionate women who want to donate their time in order to help others. Eligible volunteers take part in a three-phase training programme that takes place over 3 to 4 months, and which focuses on counselling skills and family law. This training programme is dynamic, informative, and fun. Most importantly, it prepares volunteers for the situations they will face as Helpliners. You will learn valuable counselling skills, such as active listening, that will also help you in your everyday work and family life.

As part of AWARE’s Support Services, Helpliners contribute directly to helping women in Singapore during their time of need.

As a Helpliner, you will:

• Answer calls made to the AWARE Helpline
• Capture call details on our online system
• Identify advocacy issues
• Refer clients to internal and external services
• Work directly under experienced staff supervision

Skills required

• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• Ability to empathise without imposing judgment
• Ability to integrate life experiences
• Self-reliant and pro-active attitude

Other requirements

• Must be female and be over 23 years old
• Must complete a formal application form (to be sent to applicant at later date).
• Must be an AWARE member (S$40 per year)
• Must pay a non-refundable training fee (S$80)

Skills preferred

• Second language preferred

Work location

• Work is to be performed within the AWARE office

Notice period

• 2-week notice

Please apply through the Volunteer online application.

Befrienders

Location: On-site at Family Court or Police Station
Hours: During 9am to 5pm (oncall) – must be available on weekdays

Expected commitment

• Completion of training course: Weekly, for 7 weeks (every Tuesday evening);
• At least once a month, between the hours of 9am to 5pm, for 1 year

The Befriender programme aims to offer support to women who have been victims of domestic violence or who have undergone psychological trauma. Befrienders accompany these women to police stations, hospitals and courts, and their presence can make a big difference. The logistics of court hearings – registration, purpose of the hearing, what will happen during the hearing – are not necessarily made clear to the applicant. This can be confusing for anyone, and even more so when one is emotionally and physically exhausted. A Befriender’s support encourages the victim not to give up on the legal process.

Every year, AWARE offers an intensive training programme to a new batch of dedicated and passionate women who want to donate their time in order to help others. Eligible volunteers take part in a training programme that takes place over 2 months, and which focuses on issues pertaining to family violence, women and the law, and police procedures.

As a Befriender, you will contribute directly to helping women in Singapore during their time of need in a face-to-face manner.

As a Befriender, you will:

• Accompany those in need to the police, hospitals, court and other official centres
• Provide information about relevant procedures to those in need
• Write reports on events

Skills required

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Ability to respond well in crisis situations and remain calm

Other requirements

• Must be female and be over 23 years old
• Must complete a formal application form (to be sent to applicant at later date).
• Must be an AWARE member (S$40 per year)
• Must pay a non-refundable training fee (S$50)

Skills preferred

• Second language preferred

Work location

• Work is to be performed off-site at courts, police stations, and hospitals. Befrienders need to be available during normal office hours and need to have flexible hours and be on-call.

Notice period

• 2-week notice

Please apply through the Volunteer online application.

Lawyers for Legal Clinic

Location: AWARE Centre (Block 5 Dover Crescent #01-22)
Hours: 7pm to 9:30pm
Expected commitment: 3 hours per month

The Legal Clinic is held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

Women who experience problems related to family violence, divorce, custody issues, and sexual harassment often come to our Legal Clinic because they need to understand their legal rights and options.

We need lawyers who have experience with Singapore Law. If you do not have experience in family law, we can offer training to broaden your knowledge.

As a volunteer for our Legal Clinic, you will directly help women in their desperate time of need.
As a Legal Clinic volunteer, you will:

• Provide legal guidance and options to women in need

Skills required

• Law degree with practice experience in Singapore – no experience in family law necessary

Work location

• Work is to be performed within the AWARE office

Notice period

• 1-month notice

Please apply through the Volunteer online application .