Get Involved > Training

Initial training for the Listeners is provided by a clinical psychologist and starts with an all-day session. After this induction day, the training continues with a further 12 hours of professional training accompanied by at least 32 hours of supervised active and passive listening time with experienced listeners.

Topics dealt with in the training programme include communication skills and interpersonal interaction as well as specific topics including grief, bereavement or suicide.

As well as being guided in how to become effective listeners, many of our listeners have found that they benefited personally from the training.

Our Supporters join the listener trainees for the one all-day training session and attend one evening training session given by experienced Listeners.

If you think you might be interested in volunteering with SOS, visit our events page to find out about our next recruitment session dates.