Woman volunteering for Shout 85258 text service

Volunteer for Shout

At Shout 85258, our trained Shout Volunteers are invaluable and at the heart of everything we do. They are often the first person our texters have spoken to about how they are feeling. They will work to take someone in distress to a calmer place.

We're currently looking for Shout Volunteers who are based in New Zealand who can help us provide 24/7 support for those in the UK. Find out more here.

Due to an exceptional number of UK volunteer applications over the past few months we're regrettably not accepting or processing any more applications from people in the UK at the moment. If you're based in the UK please check back soon.

If you'd like to show your support perhaps you would consider making a donation so Shout can reach even more people in urgent need of support.

Thank you for your interest in supporting us and our texters.

Being a Shout Volunteer is a massive part of who I am. I’m helping others, making a difference and always learning too.

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Shout Volunteers have the chance to:

  • Have an impact on people’s lives and make a difference.

  • Learn communication, active listening, problem solving and crisis management skills; recognised by employers, universities and colleges as essential skills.

  • Be part of a pioneering team and a supportive community.

  • ‘Meet’ new people - our volunteers are a sociable bunch who offer each other plenty of support on the platform.

  • Volunteer the way you want – from home, in the office or with a group of friends or family.

  • Access ongoing professional development with a dedicated Coach.

Meet our volunteers

In the time we’ve been running, we have built up a community of more than 2,300 empathetic volunteers. We welcome people from all walks of life to join our diverse and caring community. From air traffic controllers to jewellery makers, wind turbine technicians to chefs and hairdressers anyone can make a brilliant volunteer for Shout. Meet some of them here.

Find out more
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Additional benefits of volunteering for Shout 85258:

  • Around 80% say that becoming a volunteer has had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

  • Over 90% of people who volunteer for Shout feel a sense of purpose and that they making a difference to texters’ lives.

  • Almost 60% feel that volunteering for Shout is part of their identity.

  • 83% of our volunteers would actively recommend and promote Shout as an organisation to volunteer for.

Hear from our volunteers

Watch this video about why they enjoy volunteering with Shout 85258:

But, being a Shout Volunteer isn’t for everyone. You need to:

  • Be over 18.

  • Be resilient and mentally robust to help people in distress.

  • Commit to 25 hours of online training and then fulfil 200 total hours of volunteering.

  • Have empathy and be able to be objective.

  • Put your own personal views to one side to help the texter.

  • Have a secure web connection, laptop/computer and access to a quiet place.

  • Be able to volunteer from the UK or New Zealand.

  • Provide 2 referees and consent to undergo a background check.