Floating Support Helpline Volunteer
Description
We're STAMMA. We exist to create a world that makes space for stammering. Where a stammer is embraced as just a difference. Where no-one judges us on our stammer or the way we choose to deal with it. We provide a free national helpline, email and webchat service, online resources and information, support for local groups and professional networks, for families with children who stammer, and an Advocacy Service for those who have been discriminated against because of their stammer.
STAMMA’s Helpline Services include our phoneline, webchat and email support services and are a hugely important part of STAMMA’s work.
The impact you'll have
This is frontline stuff, responding to people reaching out for information and support. It’s a great opportunity to spend time chatting with people who stammer, as well as their parents, grandparents, teachers and employers, taking the time to make space to listen and to value what they have to say. Where appropriate we then signpost people to useful information, support and services.
The skills you'll need
You will need to have the following skills in order to participate:
You’re likely to enjoy volunteering in the Helpline Services if you have a genuine curiosity about people and their experiences,are able to understand written and spoken English, are comfortable enough to speak on the telephone, are comfortable with basic email functions, have good administration skills and enjoy listening and talking to people. It’s not essential to stammer yourself if you’re interested in working in our helpline, but it can be an advantage if you do, or if you are the parent of a child who stammers. Many of our callers find it really helpful to know that they’re speaking to someone who really ‘gets it’ and who has that personal insight into some of the issues and questions they have.
When
Commitment
Ongoing
Available Slots
1
You will need
Minimum age: 18
STAMMA
Health, disability and social care
Set up in 1978, STAMMA is a membership organisation. We provide a free national helpline, email and webchat service, online resources and information, support for local groups and professional networks, for families with children who stammer, and an Advocacy Service for those who have been discriminated against because of their stammer.
We've run national award-winning campaigns (Find the Right Words). We got Apple to stop linking the woozy face emoji to stammering in 2021, and in 2022, as part of our No Diversity without Disfluency campaign had an award-winning ad, Not Just One Day, shown on going Pearl and Dean cinemas across the UK over an 8-month period.
We have spent the last five years rebuilding our infrastructure and building and extending our services. Our strategy now is to challenge organisations to remove the barriers facing people who stammer.
We have a small staff team and a larger brilliant volunteer team.
Our vision is to create a world that makes space for stammering. Where a stammer is embraced as just a difference. Where no-one judges us on our stammer or the way we choose to deal with it.
Our mission is to stand up for and empower those who stammer and challenge discrimination wherever we find it. We will provide support and information and fight for speech and language therapy services for those who want it. No matter how you talk, we're here for you. Join us and help the public understand that stammering is not a sign of being shy, drunk, dishonest, nervous or weak. It's simply how some of us talk.