Volunteer Counsellor

Organisation: Woman’s Trust

Location: Hybrid (London-based face-to-face, online and telephone)

Time Commitment: Minimum 12 months

Hours: Typically 3–6 client hours per week (to be agreed)

Contract Type: Volunteer

Reports to: Counselling Manager

About Woman’s Trust

Woman’s Trust is a specialist mental health charity providing free counselling and groupwork to women affected by domestic abuse. Our services are trauma-informed, client-led, and rooted in a person-centred/humanistic model. We are committed to supporting women to rebuild confidence, autonomy, and emotional wellbeing following experiences of domestic abuse. This role is open to female applicants only, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Role Purpose

Volunteer Counsellors provide safe, confidential, and trauma-informed one-to-one counselling to women affected by domestic abuse. Counsellors will work within Woman’s Trust policies, procedures, and therapeutic framework, and will receive ongoing support, supervision, and training.

Key Responsibilities

• Therapeutic Work
  • Provide weekly one-to-one counselling sessions using a person-centred/humanistic approach.
  • Work with women who have experienced domestic abuse, at the client’s pace and according to their needs.
  • Deliver counselling sessions face-to-face, online, or by telephone, depending on client preference.
  • Work within agreed session limits and contractual arrangements.
• Assessment & Safeguarding
  • Participate in initial assessments where appropriate (depending on experience).
  • Maintain awareness of safeguarding and risk issues and escalation concerns in line with WT policies.
  • Work collaboratively with the Counselling Manager and Therapeutic Services team regarding client suitability and risk.
• Administration & Record Keeping
  • Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case notes in line with WT policies.
  • Complete required monitoring and evaluation forms.
  • Manage own client scheduling and communicate promptly regarding any changes to availability.
• Professional Practice & Development
  • Attend regular clinical supervision (provided by Woman’s Trust).
  • Participate in training, peer support, and reflective practice sessions.
  • Work within the BACP Ethical Framework and Woman’s Trust policies at all times.
• General
  • Uphold Woman’s Trust values, including empowerment, anti-discriminatory practice, and survivor-centred working.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Commit to a minimum volunteering period to ensure continuity for clients.

Person Specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate how they meet the criteria below.

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications & Training
  • Qualified Counsellors – Minimum Level 4 Diploma in Person-Centred/Humanistic Counselling (or equivalent).
  • OR – Counsellors in Training: Currently undertaking a recognised counselling qualification (Level 4 or above) – Minimum of 50 supervised client hours completed at time of application.
• Professional Membership
  • Registered student or individual member of BACP (or equivalent professional body).
  • Willingness to work in line with professional ethical frameworks.
• Experience
  • Experience of working therapeutically with clients in a counselling or helping role.
  • Experience (paid or voluntary) of working with women affected by domestic abuse or strong transferable experience (e.g. trauma, abuse, crisis work).
  • Ability to work with emotional distress in a contained and reflective way.
• Knowledge
  • Understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on women.
  • Awareness of trauma-informed and person-centred practice.
  • Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.
  • Awareness of anti-discriminatory practice and equality issues.
• Skills
  • Ability to build safe, trusting therapeutic relationships.
  • Good communication skills (verbal and written).
  • Ability to reflect on practice and use supervision effectively.
  • Basic IT skills and ability to work with online platforms.
• Attitudes & Values
  • Commitment to Woman’s Trust ethos and feminist values.
  • Sensitivity to the needs of women who have experienced domestic abuse.
  • Respectful, non-judgemental, and empowering approach.
  • Reliability and commitment to agreed volunteering hours.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with women from Black, Asian and minoritised communities.
• Experience of remote counselling (online or telephone).
• Ability to offer counselling in community languages.
• Previous experience within a domestic abuse or women-only service.

Additional Information

This post is open to female applicants only under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. An enhanced DBS check is required before starting. Supervision and training are provided by Woman’s Trust.

For further information and to apply, email sona.b@womanstrust.org.uk