The LGBT helpline – a national support service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT ) people –launched a volunteer recruitment drive this week. The helpline is calling on members of the LGBT community in Mayo – and throughout the country – to volunteer to help with running its service.
The LGBT helpline (1890 929 539 ) provides confidential support to LGBT people, their family and friends, and to people who are questioning if they might be LGBT. The service is provided by a network of trained volunteers but, due to high demand and limited numbers of volunteers, it is unable to answer every call it receives.
The LGBT helpline’s volunteer recruitment drive will run over the next four weeks and will encompass a nationwide media campaign, as well as a social media drive (using the hashtag #LGBThelp on Twitter ).
Volunteers are required to complete an initial six-week training period, which will commence in March, and to contribute a minimum of four hours’ service per month. The identity of volunteers is never revealed, and the helpline safeguards their privacy at all times.
Information and support is also available through the helpline’s website, www.lgbt.ie, which experienced a doubling in visitor numbers last year, with 18,000 people accessing the site. Any Mayo people interested in volunteering with the LGBT Helpline can email [email protected] or call 1890 929 539.
