Helpline Volunteer

Make a tangible difference to the lives of dyslexic adults and children in Scotland - join our amazing team of Helpline volunteers!

Do you have good listening skills?
Are you able to put people at their ease over the telephone?
Can you remain objective and level headed when faced with difficult or emotional phone calls?
Do you want to make a difference?

If yes to all of the above, we would love to hear from you.

About the Helpline

The Dyslexia Scotland Helpline has been running many years and receives up to 2000 enquiries each year. In complete confidentiality, our trained Helpline advisers listen to questions and signpost to information and help on dyslexia-related issues in Scotland.

“We are a friendly voice and listening ear at the end of the phone who can help to make sense of the huge amount of information which is available.”

About the role

You can be based in our office or at home.
You will need IT skills sufficient to be able to access the internet and respond to email enquiries.
Timewise – all we ask is that you commit to one regular morning or afternoon each week. We will be able to cover any time you need away from the Helpline for holidays etc.

All training will be provided

Experience required

• Excellent listening skills
• Ability to put people at ease on the telephone
• Ability to be objective, as Advisors may only hear one side of the story
• Ability to be non-confrontational
• Ability to extract essential information from distressed enquirers in order to provide support
• Ability to keep a level head when dealing with distressing, angry or difficult calls
• Ability to ask others for advice when unsure how to respond
• Basic IT skills to check internet sites, reply to emails and record queries
• Ability to take notes while answering a call
• Ability to record information clearly in the Helpline monitoring database after each call/email

Travel expenses

The Helpline can be manned from your own home or from our office based in Stirling. if you live locally to the office, travel expenses will be provided. Software etc needed to fulfil the role will be provided by Dyslexia Scotland.

Training details

Full training will be provided by Dyslexia Scotland online.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Availability

Frequency & commitment

Long -term commitment to one 3 hour session on the Helpline per week. Cover will be provided for holidays, illness etc.

I want to volunteer