Support of the parents' helpline "Nummer gegen Kummer" (number against sorrow)

The Parents' Helpline (Nummer gegen Kummer) is a confidential and anonymous contact, conversation and counselling service. It can be reached nationwide at the uniform and free number 0800 1110 550 from 9:00 to 11:00 on Mondays to Fridays and from 17:00 to 19:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. https://www.kinderschutzbund-koeln.de/hilfen-im-kinderschutz-zentrum/telefonische-hilfeangebote/elterntelefon/ or www.nummergegenkummer.de 

Your Tasks

To work on the phone, you should have the willingness and the time requirement,

• over a period of at least two years
• to work regularly for several hours per month and
• attend the monthly coordination meetings and the professional support of the parent helpline (Mondays from 16:30 to 18:30).

Before taking up voluntary work, a topic-specific training of at least 60 hours takes place. One focus is on teaching counselling and communication skills, in the specific situation (purely telephone contact, no possibility of renewed contact, dealing with difficult telephone calls, etc.). In addition to imparting knowledge on different topics that occur on the phones, practical exercises have their important place. The training is followed by observation sessions of at least 10 hours.

What's needed

• Empathy and willingness to be an active interlocutor with different target groups.
• Age: (at least) 18 years
• extended  certificate of good conduct necessary

Time required

The Office for Civic Commitment of the AWO Cologne is a consulting service. People who are willing to volunteer will receive advice and will be placed in organisations that work with volunteers. Further priority will be given to LESEMENTOR Cologne, young volunteers, further education and voluntary refugee work.