Lifelines Volunteer Responders

Hello
We’re glad you’re here

Whatever your involvement with voluntary emergency response, these extra resources are for you. Whether you’re a volunteer responder, family member, friend or employer.

Below you'll find out more about our resources, what other volunteer responders have said about Lifelines, additional videos and the latest news. You can also find out about booking a course and there’s also a list of the organisations offering support to the volunteer responder community.

Thank you for everything you do to take care of your fellow citizens. Please look after yourselves and each other.

Get the support you need

Our resources provide you with information and advice across a wide range of subjects...
If you need to talk to someone now or want to find out more about the support available go to our Find Help page. Some organisations also have specific services available to their volunteers - these are listed below.

“I really dug into the Lifelines website last night. A lot of quality information useful to all - even if you consider yourself in a “good place”.  We never know what’s round the corner for ourselves or the others we work or play with”.

Volunteer Responder, Mountain Rescue

"The Lifelines Scotland resources are hugely informative and engaging"

Volunteer Responder, Coastguard

Additional videos and resources

Below are some extra service specific videos and resources that you may find helpful...

Support from other organisations

National Support Services
There are lots of places you can get help and support when you need it. Please don't struggle on alone. Listed on our Find Help page are national resources for all responders, their families and the general public.
Scottish Mountain Rescue
SMR volunteers and their household family members have access to Police Scotland's Employee Assistance Programme (HELP). This is an advice and counselling service, provided by trained counselling and welfare practitioners. For more information, phone 0800 011 6719, 24/7 or visit the website.
RNLI
The RNLI website has information and resources for RNLI volunteer community. Contact the Volunteering team on: 01202 663346 (9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) or email.
SHOUT Blue LIght
Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. To access a dedicated service for the emergency responder community, text BLUELIGHT to 85258 any time day or night to be connected to a trained and supervised crisis volunteer.

Book a course as a Volunteer Emergency Responder

We are not currently running courses for volunteers but plan to restart these soon. You can access the Staying Well Road Trip from this site and we've provided some tips on how you can run this as a group within your team.
Staying Well – Understanding Resilience and Self-Care
Duration: 3 hours (with short break)
Audience:
Aimed at all volunteer emergency responders in Scotland (for example Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue, RNLI, Coastguard, Flood Volunteers, Red Cross, St Andrews First Aid, 4x4 Response. If unsure please contact our Advisor. We wish to include as many response volunteers as possible.)
Cost: Free
Delivery method:
Online via MS Teams
Delegate numbers:
16 (We aim for a minimum of 6 to run a course)
Pre-requisite:
We encourage all delegates to complete the Staying Well Road Trip before attending this course.

Session Overview 
This session is an opportunity to meet with others and to learn more about what keeps us well. We discuss the things that threaten our wellbeing in our roles and what protects us, and how to stock our Psychological 1st Aid kits. We learn about the impact of trauma and stress so we can recognise when we might need some help and where we can find this.

Learning Outcomes
Understanding of the factors that contribute to good mental health Knowledge of the protective and risk factors which can affect the resilience of volunteer emergency responders Ability to recognise signs of stress and distress in ourselves Understanding of the factors that support the wellbeing of individuals and teams Knowledge of the support available for you and your colleagues Opportunity to plan for what could be in your Psychological 1stAid kit

Register and join
Please register for this course using the form below. Joining instructions will then be sent ahead of the event.
Current Dates (normally Tuesday evenings or Thursday mornings):
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Supporting your Colleagues
Duration: 6.5 hours (includes 30 minute break for lunch)
Audience: Aimed at all volunteer emergency responders in Scotland (for example Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue, RNLI, Coastguard, Flood Volunteers, Red Cross, St Andrews First Aid, 4x4 Response. If unsure please contact our Advisor. We wish to include as many response volunteers as possible.)
Cost: Free
Delivery method: Online via MS Teams
Delegate numbers: 16 (We aim for a minimum of 6 to run a course)
Pre-requisite: Completion of Staying Well – Understanding Resilience and Self-Care

Session Overview 
We know that relationships based on camaraderie, trust and respect act as a buffer against the challenges of working / volunteering for an emergency service. This workshop looks at what we can do to strengthen these supportive relationships. You will learn how to have helpful conversations with colleagues, how to recognise signs that someone may be struggling and what to do when you are worried about someone. 

Learning Outcomes
Understanding of how social and peer support contribute to wellbeing and good mental health Ability to recognise signs of stress and distress in others, including common mental health problems Understanding of, and opportunity to practice, listening skills and supportive conversations Ability to recognise risk and respond when people are in crisis Knowledge of available support and how to link people to help Knowledge of how to take care of yourself when supporting others

Register and join
Please register for this course using the form below. Joining instructions will then be sent ahead of the event.
Current Dates: ( Thursdays):  
Register for this course...
Thank you! Your registration has been received!
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Post trauma support: Providing Psychological First Aid 
Duration: 6.5 hours (includes 30 minute break for lunch)
Audience: Aimed at all volunteer emergency responders in Scotland (for example Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue, RNLI, Coastguard, Flood Volunteers, Red Cross, St Andrews First Aid, 4x4 Response. If unsure please contact our Advisor. We wish to include as many response volunteers as possible.)
Cost: Free
Delivery method: Online via MS Teams
Delegate numbers: 16 (We aim for a minimum of 6 to run a course)
Pre-requisite: Completion of Staying Well – Understanding Resilience and Self-Care and Supporting your Colleagues / Team 

Session Overview 
Emergency service staff and volunteers are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic experiences in the course of their work. This workshop will help you understand trauma and traumatic stress so you can recognise when you and your colleagues may be at risk of psychological injury. It will equip you to give Psychological First Aid, the international best practice model for supporting people following trauma exposure.  

Learning Outcomes
Understanding of trauma and traumatic stress and be able to identify: the kinds of experiences that may be traumatic; the different ways that people can be affected; the factors which influence our ability to cope and recover Increased confidence in recognising when people’s responses and reactions may be trauma-related Knowledge of and ability to deliver Psychological First Aid Ability to recognise when people need additional support and knowledge of how to access this

Register and join
Please register for this course using the form below. Joining instructions will then be sent ahead of the event.
Current Dates: 
Register for this course...
Thank you! Your registration has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

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