As the weekend approaches, we’re delighted to bring you another tale of inspiration! Today marks the fifth story in our National Volunteering Week series — a powerful and uplifting story from Simran.

Here is Simran’s story

The experience of volunteering with the Crime Victims Helpline has been both fulfilling and difficult, providing a special chance for both professional and personal development. This short story will show my personal growth and assess my experience critically, focusing on the emotional difficulties I encountered.
In my quest for my ideal career, landing a position with the Crime Victims Helpline was a major turning point. On January 15th, 2025, I started using the I-VOL website to apply for volunteer positions. I sent approximately 13 applications to different organisations, such as AWARE, Text About It, and the ALONE Organisation. The positions appealed to me as they provided valuable experience in the fields of mental health and emotional support, in addition to being good references for my CV which will benefit me in the future. I was invited for an interview by the Crime Victims Helpline via email shortly after I submitted my application, and I was able to secure a position with their organisation. I selected this position simply because I saw how it could provide priceless experience in active listening, crisis intervention, and helping people in need. Any practicing psychologist requires these talents, and I saw this role as a chance to refine my communication skills and develop the patience I would need to build solid therapeutic connections in the future. Yet it goes without saying, that I had faced difficulties while I was training.

I was initially faced with a great deal of self-doubt when I started volunteering. I wondered if I was prepared to help people who were dealing with trauma, anxiety, and anger. During my observation period, I witnessed trained volunteers interact with callers in a calm, empathetic, and clear manner, which heightened my doubts. I questioned whether I could ever be as composed as they were, especially under pressure. However, even though I was overwhelmed with these waves of self-doubt, I raised these thoughts to my supervisors who assured me that this is all but a learning curve and that the training for this may be crucial but, every volunteer must start from the ground up. The helpline handles many difficult calls and so, the helpline has a space where volunteers are able to express whatever feelings we may have in a safe environment. Knowing this, calmed any reservations I originally had by fully understanding that there is somewhere safe where I am able to voice my uncertainty.

The role’s informational depth has been similarly challenging. In addition to offering emotional support, the helpline also, serves as a channel for general information regarding the Irish criminal justice system, with which it is in conjunction with. Directing callers to the right services requires a great deal of knowledge, which at first seemed intimidating. Though, after finishing Tusla’s Children First training and the HSE’s Suicide Awareness course, I now have the abilities and information required to handle emergency situations and protect those who are vulnerable. My confidence has increased as a result of these trainings, which have again, reinforced the need of preparation in lowering anxiety and improving success. In terms of gaining a grasp on other services, during my observation training I learnt that the knowledge of knowing other services comes from the result of practice, comfortability and time, which lessened the intimidating feeling by the help of other volunteers.

It is practically impossible to exaggerate the value of volunteering in society. It provides essential services to people in need, frequently addressing the gaps created by official institutions. For me, it has been an empowering experience that has strengthened the virtues of social justice, resiliency, and selflessness. I have a more solid feeling of purpose and self-efficacy as I get ready to transition from observing calls to taking part in simulated calls.
I have faced concerning feelings throughout my volunteering role up until this point however, learning the art and importance of self-care has been rewarding throughout this process. Self-care refers to the practice of minimising one’s own sickness and becoming effectively healthy. Throughout my journey of becoming a helpline caller, I learnt the vital significance of self-care as well as coming to terms with what mine are, which happens to be sewing. As challenging as this adventure so far has been, I am beyond relieved to have discovered a self-care tip that will surely aid me in my future endeavours of becoming an effective psychologist.

In conclusion, during this time working with the Crime Victims Helpline has been one of intense personal development, emotional testing, and career advancement. I have developed the technical abilities required for crisis intervention as well as the emotional resilience needed to support people in vulnerable situations by means of critical reflection, intense training, and constant self-awareness. My love for psychology and helping people has been strengthened by this experience, which has also, taught me the value of self-care, boundaries, and respect in such emotionally demanding role. Though there have been times of uncertainty, uneasiness, and moral contemplation, this journey has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m carrying with me a sense of willingness, purpose, and compassion as I continue to move into more active roles within the helpline. I’m certain that the information, encouragement, and understanding I’ve received will help me become a compassionate and successful helper both now and in my future work.