Volunteering through Support Calls: what to expect
Have you ever considered signing up to be a supporter in our Support Calls program but hesitated because you’re not sure if you’re equipped?
Don’t worry: we’ll train you!
And the training is simple, straightforward, developed by professionals, and evidence-based. If you’re on the fence, we’re breaking down what our Supporter training looks like below. As soon as you’re ready, you can volunteer to be part of the program!
What format is the Supporter training in?
The Supporter training is all hosted in Discord, making it easy to access whenever you need to. After you submit your application, one of our team members will review it and give you the green light. Then you’ll have 10 days to finish the training.
The training is primarily in the form of video modules that take about 3.5 hours to watch. Once you’ve completed them, you’ll be ready to be matched with a Peer to start one-on-one calls!
What topics does the Supporter training cover?
The topics included in the Supporter training are designed to address any concerns that might come up in advance, equipping you to listen well and respond when someone is struggling. It can be hard to know how to express unconditional, non-judgmental support, which is what we’re here to help with.
Remember: at any point in the training or later when you’re paired with a Peer, if challenges come up that you’re unsure how to overcome, you can always reach out to HeartSupport’s Program Assistant. That ensures everyone is safe and minimizes communication barriers and other challenges.
Here are the major topics the modules cover:
Module 1: What is HeartSupport? What can I expect?
Module 2: What will my role as a Supporter look like?
Module 3: Core Skills: How to listen with intention
Module 4: Core Skills: How to accept someone without judgment
Module 5: Core Skills: How to connect with your Peer’s experience
Module 6: Core Skills: How to encourage your Peer without giving advice
Module 7: Where are the weekly calls hosted? Where do I message my Peer? How often should I check in?
Module 8: How do I start once my application gets reviewed?
What happens after I complete the training?
You’ll submit a final application after completing all of the modules. Once a staff member has reviewed and approved it, you’ll be matched with a Peer, usually within 10 days!
Matches take into account gender preferences, age, shared music taste, and life experience. The goal is to make sure you’re set with someone who can really relate to you (and you may be surprised how many people within the scene that includes). After that, you’ll commit to an hour-long call once a week, which will be hosted through Discord. Assessing the appropriateness of additional touchpoints is part of the training.
Support Call pairings last for a year. You’ll be part of a Discord server full of other Supporters who are on their own journey of supporting peers to offer that extra helping hand; they might surprise you with the support they’re able to offer in turn to you as well.
Dozens of people have completed this training and report back monthly on how life-giving their connection with a Peer is. Are you ready to be one of them? Submit your initial application below!
