Volunteer for Us
As a volunteer for Sunderland Counselling Service you will be able to develop valuable skills and experience whilst studying at your chosen university or college.
You will be fully supported on your volunteering journey and you will gradually build your caseload, enabling you to achieve your therapeutic goals. You will also get the chance to make new friendships and get a real sense of achievement.
Applications information for 2025
Volunteer - Placement Counsellors
We are excited to offer you the opportunity to volunteer within our BACP accredited counselling service.
We pride ourselves on offering a high level of support to our volunteers, as well as many opportunities for training and development. We are looking for committed, empathetic individuals who believe in our ethos.
Whether you are qualified and looking to gain some additional experience, or if you are working towards qualification on a recognised Level 5 counselling course, Sunderland Counselling Service may be the place for you.
We recruit volunteers at set times of the year so that you can start your volunteer placement alongside other volunteers for additional peer support.
Find out why volunteer Tristan says " Working at Sunderland counselling services was such a positive experience "
Further Information
Our volunteer placements are working with adults within our Primary Care Counselling Service where clients can self refer or are referred through the NHS and are offered short-term counselling, usually a maximum of six sessions. Our placements are based at John Street, Sunderland City Centre.
- Two references and a DBS check are required before commencing placement.
- We require volunteers to commit to their placement for a full year, with a minimum of two clients per week.
- We have flexibility in the times we can offer placements, including weekdays and evenings.
- We provide clinical supervision at no cost to all volunteers.
- You will be asked to provide a mix of face to face, telephone and online video counselling
2025 Volunteer Counselling Placements
We have an exciting opportunity to offer two counselling placements in our long running primary care counselling volunteer programme.
To find out more about our primary care counselling service, please click here: GP Service
In this placement, you will begin by working with two clients per week whilst you build your confidence of counselling and in understanding our processes before building up to 4 clients per week
You will be provided with fortnightly supervision with an experienced supervisor who will support you to develop your skills.
When
We will be opening our application process on 21st April 2025. Please do not send an application before this date as it will not be reviewed.
This application process will close at 9am on 5th May 2025 and we cannot accept any applications after this time.
Useful Information
Interviews will take place on Friday 16th May at our office in John Street, Sunderland.
Anyone who is successfully offered a placement with us will be required to attend an induction on Friday 6th June 2025.
How
Please submit an application form via email to [email protected]. Please note we do not accept CVs.
Please download below from 21st April 2025:
- Application Form
- GDPR Privacy Notice for Applicants
- Equal Opportunity and Diversity Monitoring Document
Meet Our Current and Past Volunteers
Bethan
Bethan is a current volunteer in our GP Primary Care Counselling Service and our CASSVA Service.
"Being on placement at SCS has been a hugely positive experience. The training provided has been excellent, with opportunities to benefit from additional learning throughout the placement. Regular supervision sessions have been a highlight, allowing space for personal reflection and growth, as well as specific skills-based learning. Through it, I have been stretched to consider different perspectives and develop my counselling practice. I have also felt trusted to try new things and through this have gained greater confidence in my own abilities. I am grateful for all the opportunities and support I have been able to access at SCS"
Jenna
Jenna is a current volunteer in our GP Primary Care Counselling Service.
I was nervous about starting placement and seeing real clients, but the staff at Sunderland Counselling Service have made it such an enjoyable experience. Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive, and I have never felt alone. The training provided was thorough and I felt more prepared by the end of it. My supervisor within the service has been a fantastic support and has always answered my questions or concerns with knowledge and empathy. I feel very lucky to have carried out my placement with Sunderland Counselling Service."
Paul
Paul completed his placement with us and decided to remain a member of the team. He is now a qualified volunteer.
"During my time with Sunderland Counselling services I couldn't of hoped for a more helpful group of people, the whole organisation as a team has supported me through my counselling journey and made where i am today possible, I couldn't recommend highly enough this team to join you on your path."
Jenny
Jenny Volunteered with us 2019-2020 and has this to say:
I have found my time there on placement an excellent learning experience, with great support from everyone from admin staff to colleagues to managers. I was given a ‘buddy’ who has been really friendly and supportive and SCS has provided monthly supervision which has been an essential part of my development as a trainee counsellor.
The thing I really like about SCS is that it is a well organised and friendly place to be and I really feel part of the team. There are lots of training opportunities and I have also been able to have contact with a wide range of clients, which has also helped me to progress my counselling skills.
Tristan
Tristan undertook his placement with us 2023-2024 and is now working as a paid member of staff in the St Benedict's Hospice team.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Sunderland counselling service. Being part of such a warm and welcoming team who put their clients and staff at the forefront of everything they do has been a real pleasure. I couldn't feel more supported and have felt like one of the team from the first moment I stepped in. Long may it continue!
Trustees / Board members
To join our board of trustees, known as the Management Committee.
SCS is a well-established and independent mental health charity and company limited by guarantee, which is acknowledged for its contribution to the community by our clients, mental health professionals, and local and regional voluntary and statutory agencies. Originally established as a bereavement counselling service, over the years the organisation has grown and developed in response to need and now provides a wide range of counselling and psychological therapy services across the North East of England.
Trustees may already have a background in the charity sector or may be new to the sector; we would be interested to hear from potential trustees from the public and private sectors. Most importantly we need our trustees to have a clear commitment to Sunderland Counselling Service and the work we do.
This is an unpaid role, but expenses are available.
All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Applications:
If you would like more information or to discuss this role, please contact Toby Sweet, Chief Executive on:
0191 514 7007 or by email [email protected]
Interested applicants should submit a CV and covering letter, setting out why they are interested in the role and what they would bring to it, by email as above.
Volunteering for Us
Whether as a volunteer counsellor, a board member or an admin volunteer, we ensure that as a volunteer for Sunderland Counselling Service you will be able to develop valuable skills and experience.
You will be fully supported on your volunteering journey, and will be provided with training, guidance and clinical support. You will also get the chance to make new friendships and get a real sense of achievement as you learn how a established counselling organization works to support the community.