I want a meaningful job... thinking of womans refuge... anyone?

[mamadiva]

I fancy working in a Womans Refuge as I know how much they can help people, so I thought I could maybe go in at the basic level just helping out and then building up to be a counsellor.

Does anyone else have experience of doing this

I did volunteer work for Womens Aid. Many of the women there started out as volunteers and then trained as counsellors.

I was at Bham Womens Aid- I dont know where you are geographically. They were very good at encouraging the volunteers to do courses to get paid work for them.

I am in the Highlands and there is a refuge nearby.

I worked for a year as a volunteer in a refuge before I did my post-grad training to do social work - went on to work in child protection type stuff residentially based (trained and worked Aberdeen) volunteered down south as a "gap year".

What I can tell you is that it is tough but hugely rewarding. I'll warn you that often you'll see people return time and time again to the same awful situation before finally getting out and what can seem like a logical choice to you can be very complicated for them - when there are children involved too this can both distressing and frustrating to be a part of. The work done is fantastic and there is a real sense of joy when you see someone get their life together, get past the scars and move on but like I've said there is a lot of frustration and "failure" involved too - I'd say that you'll experience this more than the cases who come through - purely because it takes many attempts for many women/men to get out of this situation for good.

If you decide to go for it, make sure that you volunteer somewhere where there is good staff support - keeping a professional face on things isn't always easy and you will need to let off steam in some sort of supervision. Do some reading and research into things so you have an idea of the facts and figures before starting. Go for it if it's really what you wan to do and also maybe think about doing more qualifications later on, as you'll know there is a real shortage of professionals/vols in many areas - someone good, keen and enthusiastic always needed.

If you think of any questions, ask and i'll answer what i can - all the best.

i know what you mean. i don't think i can go back to jsut shaving a .025 more commission off a deal than a rival and feeling good about that.