Volunteer Counsellor in Southampton

Role Terms

Hours:

• Monday: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
• Monday: 10 am – 2 pm
• Tuesday: 10 am – 2 pm
• Tuesday: 2 pm – 5 pm
• Wednesday: 9 am – 12 pm
• Wednesday: 9 am – 12 pm
• Thursday: 10 am – 1 pm
• Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm
• Thursday: 4 pm – 8 pm

Place of work:

• No Limits Head Office, 34/35 The Avenue, Southampton, SO17 1XN
• No Limits Advice Centre, High Street, Southampton, SO14 2DF

Responsible to: Operations Manager – Therapeutic Services

DBS: Enhanced DBS – Child and Adult Barred List

Driving: Not required, but must be able to travel independently

Closing Date: 9am Tuesday, 21st of April 2026

Interview Date: Wednesday, 6th of May 2026

Your Role

✨Join us as a Volunteer Counsellor to develop your skills and experience, while making a real difference to children and young people✨

No Limits is the leading youth services charity in Southampton, supporting children and young people in the city and across Hampshire. We value staff and volunteers who reflect the challenges faced by the children and young people we support and are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

As part of our Therapeutic Services team, the counselling placement provides first‑hand experience, enabling you to develop your skills, access CPD opportunities and gain practical insight into working with children and young people.

What we offer Volunteer Counsellors

• Children and young people: Support an average of three children and young people each week to develop your practice
• Support: Dedicated Manager support, regular team meetings and peer support with other trainee and volunteer counsellors
• Full induction and training programme: Mandatory training such as safeguarding, health and safety, plus additional online and face‑to‑face CPD opportunities
• Career development: Commitment to supporting the growth of our trainee and volunteer counsellors
• Clinical supervision: Free 1.5‑hour supervision every other week
• Admin support: Dedicated administrative support
• Expenses: Travel expenses paid if required to see a child or young person for your placement

Feedback:

My peers are very supportive, warm and friendly. It is clear we care about each other’s wellbeing, as much as the wellbeing of those we provide a service to.

Learning and development opportunities at No Limits are exemplary.

How to apply

If you are currently:

• Studying at Level 5 or above in a relevant counselling qualification
• Have read‑iness to practice
• A member of a professional, ethical counselling body
• Able to work with 11 to 17 year‑olds – most referrals are for this age group

Available for one of the regular sessions listed above – please indicate your preferred slot in your application.

You will be part of our team, and will be invited to other meetings and organisational events.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. You must demonstrate willingness to uphold No Limits’ values and behaviours.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with experience similar to the young people we support.

We offer a comprehensive induction and access to development opportunities to support your ongoing growth.

Please let us know if we can support you with reasonable adjustments at any point during the selection process.

Our Benefits

• 36 days annual leave (including public holidays)
• Two additional wellbeing days per year
• Pension scheme – matching your additional pension contributions up to 2%
• Life assurance scheme – 2 × annual salary cover for pension members
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Comprehensive induction and training offer with an online learning management system
• Employee Assistance Programme – counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services

Contact and Application

We’d be happy to have an informal discussion and answer any immediate questions you might have.

To discuss, please contact the People Team on people@nolimitshelp.org.uk.

To apply, complete the application form and upload it via the portal before the closing date of 9am on Tuesday, 21st of April 2026. If you need your application in an alternative format, please contact people@nolimitshelp.org.uk.

In the ‘Your Supporting Statement’ section of the application form, include how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the role description. We do not accept CVs.

We reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the published closing date if we receive sufficient suitable candidates, so you should submit your application as soon as possible.