Listening is an interactive and valuable skill to organisations like Lifeline Mid Coast.

They need people who would like to become a trained Telephone Crisis Supporter.

There are eight weeks of training starting in April, each Tuesday from 6pm until 9pm.

Potential telephone crisis supporters are trained in domestic violence awareness, suicide first aid and mental health first aid in addition to the course.

Telephone crisis supporters provide care and support to callers in their time of personal crisis, so people with a strong sense of self awareness and the ability to express empathy and respect for others are sought to fulfil the volunteer role.

For 27 years, Lifeline Mid Coast’s reputation has been built on their high standards of training and services.

Lifeline Mid Coast Manager Di Bannister said they have decided to look for people who can really listen.

“We train a person in communication skills, but one of the key things to that is being able to listen affectively,” she said.

“Anyone who has training in active listening will understand that it is a lot different to every day listening. It is a skill and I think one that you will have for life.”

She said it is something vital to the Port Macquarie community.

“The volunteers who do the crisis support take calls from all over Australia,” she explained.

“What we like about it is these are people living in our community. Once they get the skills they have gained in our training they use them in their every day life out in our community.”

Interested people should contact Maria 6581 2800 or email admin@lifelinemidcoast.org.au