If you are interested in becoming a volunteer on the 24-hour Crisis Line, please contact the Crisis Centre at (250) 338-0512 to set up an informational interview. This meeting is an opportunity for us to explain the role of volunteers, and for you to explore whether you would like to pursue this kind of work with us.

    Every potential volunteer must successfully complete our training program, which is offered four times a year. Most often, the classes take place over seven weeks, on either a Monday and Wednesday or a Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, but occasionally we offer the program over seven Saturdays as well.

    Training classes are held here at the Crisis Centre, and usually consist of 8-12 new volunteers. There is some lecturing and presentation of information, lots of discussion, role playing and guest speakers from local social service agencies.

    It's our goal to provide potential Crisis Line volunteers with broad-based practical and transferable skills that they can use in a variety of contexts and situations. We strive to provide an essential humanitarian community service on the 24-hour Crisis Line, and we believe that the quality of our service depends on the skill of our volunteers. Therefore, it is our responsibility to provide volunteers with relevant training, opportunity for practice, and ongoing support.

Skill	Means you are able to	Can be learned by
Active Listening	Focus Attention on the caller and not become bored or distracted Perceive subtle meanings in what the caller says Hear what the caller is not saying, but implying	Participating in role-play practice Observing the role-play practice of others Becoming familiar with social issues and contexts At-Home practice
Fundamental Communication Techniques	Practice validation paraphrasing, summarizing, de-escalation, empathy and active learning skills Use open-ended questions speak clearly	Completing the workbook exercises Roleplay practice At-Home practice
Techniques Specific to the Crisis Line	Practice problem-solving techniques Practice gentle termination Handle difficult calls	Completing the workbook exercises Roleplay practice Observation shifts on the Crisis Line

Skill	Means you are able to	Can be learned by
Crisis assessment and intervention	Understand and apply the ADEPT model Know when intervention is necessary	Reading and understanding the course material Roleplay practice Experience on the Crisis Line
Suicide assessment and intervention	Respond appropriately and calmly to suicidal callers Assess a caller's level of risk Known when intervention is necessary	Reading and understanding course material Roleplay practice Taking the ASIST course
Self-Awareness	Know when you are becoming upset or emotional Distinguish between your own emotional needs and the caller's	Self-reflection and attentiveness in practice and on the line

Skill	Means you are able to	Can be learned by
Understanding of social problems and issues affecting callers	Understand how the external circumstances of the caller may be affecting them, without the caller having to explain it or even understand it themselves	Reading and understanding course material
Self-care	Identify your own emotional needs Get your emotional needs met	Calling on-call staff Coming to Volunteer Meetings Talking with other volunteers

Skill	Means you are able to	Can be learned by
Sound knowledge of community services	Refer callers to relevant resources in a timely fashion	Participating in training activities designed to make you more familiar with local resources Studying the Community Service Directory Hearing speakers at Volunteer Meetings