The listening team at SOS Help is made up entirely of volunteers. We're trained by professional psychologists, who provide continued training and support, but who do not work on the line. We're trained to listen to you, and not to judge, label or diagnose you.
We represent a diverse range of nationalities, ethnicities, orientations, political and religious views, but we are not a religious or political organisation, and will never impose any personal attitudes or beliefs on you.
SOS Help was founded in 1974 by a group of American and British health and mental health professionals, with the help of Chad Varah, founder of the Samaritans, and with the support of Paris-based English speaking organisations such as the English and American churches and the American Hospital.
Our organisation relies on the work of our volunteers (listeners and supporters) and on donations, as well as proceeds from our fundraising events.
Volunteer With Us
SOS Help relies on its volunteer listeners and non-listeners to provide our year-round listening service.
Many volunteer opportunities are available and recruitment sessions are held once or twice a year. These sessions enable potential recruits to meet and talk with current volunteers - it's the best way to find out if you would like to join us.
There are two ways to volunteer: as a listener, you answer the phone and listen to callers, and as a supporter, you help with the logistics, publicity, and general running of SOS Help.
Listeners
Listeners are empathetic volunteers who can answer our line and help our callers. To ensure the quality of our service, we ask the following of our listener candidates:
- Commit to at least 15 months with SOS Help
- Undergo initial training (find out more about training sessions)
- Commit to 3 shifts (4 hours each) and 1 ongoing training meeting per month
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must live in the Paris area
Listeners are selected after two interviews, the first of which is conducted by a current listener, the second by a professional therapist in order to gauge the potential listener's capacity to be warm, empathic and non-judgmental.
Supporters
Supporters are volunteers who handle the logistics, work on publicity, set up fundraising events, and assist in the general running of SOS Help.
We're looking for self-starters who can do the following with minimal supervision:
- Designing and distributing publicity material (posters and flyers)
- Liaising with publications to place notices and ads about SOS Help
- Working with schools and students and attending local events to publicise the service
- Event planning, such as organising fundraisers like book sales and tombolas
- Writing or editing articles for SOS Help's newsletter
- Participate in an in-house training session
We are also looking for a Fundraising Coordinator:
The Fundraising Coordinator works to raise needed funds to run SOS Help. We are seeking a supporter willing to generate ideas to increase funds for SOS Help, which could include fundraising events or soliciting donations.
Previous fundraising experience highly desired.
To note: 100% of money collected or donated goes to the direct running of the support service we offer. There are no salaried members of SOS Help.
Volunteering with SOS Help is a heartening and inspiring experience.
