Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
SANDS - MISCARRIAGE STILLBIRTH NEWBORN DEATH SUPPORT
24hr Support: 1300 308 307
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
Main site Get Support Donate
Menu
  • Find support
    • Our services
    • 24/7 bereavement support line
    • Online Support
    • Support groups
    • Dads' Support Services
    • Hospital to Home
    • Heart Strings
    • Multicultural Resources & Support
  • Find information
    • Early Pregnancy Loss
    • Medical Termination
    • Stillbirth and Newborn Death
      • Dear Parent: A video about Autopsy
    • Grief Resources for Families
      • Creating Memories
      • Early Pregnancy Loss Recognition Certificates
      • For friends and family
      • Children and grief
      • Older loss
      • A Father's Grief
      • A partner's grief
      • A Grandparent's journey
      • Planning another pregnancy
  • For health professionals
    • Referrals
    • Fact sheets
    • E-Learning
    • Workplace In-Services
    • Bereavement care
      • Talking to parents about autopsy for stillborn babies
    • Footprints
  • News & Events
    • PAIL
      • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month
      • Walk to Remember - Across Australia
      • Oct 15
    • News
    • Events
    • Say Their Name Day
    • Blogs
    • Parent stories
  • Support us
    • Make a donation
    • Sands Merchandise
    • Fundraise for us
    • Other ways to give
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer FAQs
    • Footprints
  • About Sands
    • About us
    • Our impact
    • Our history
    • Our people
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Volunteer
  2. Volunteer FAQs

VolunteerFAQs

Why does Sands rely on the support of volunteers?

Expand

Sands has always been a volunteer-led organisation, built upon the passion and commitment bereaved parents share to make a difference.

We are a not for profit organisation that relies on the generosity of our community to support our important work in ensuring no bereaved parent feels alone after the death of a baby. Sands would not exist without the skills, knowledge, wisdom and experience that our volunteers bring to our organisation.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How will I be supported whilst volunteering with Sands

Expand

Our national volunteering team is dedicated to supporting our volunteers to ensure that you have a positive, rewarding and worthwhile volunteering experience. There is always someone experienced available for you to ask advice from, to debrief with, and to learn from.

As a volunteer, you are the lifeblood of Sands and we are committed to keeping you informed and up-to-date with regular newsletters and opportunities to connect with staff and fellow volunteers across Australia

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will I receive any training?

Expand

All volunteers going into peer supporter roles undertake our national bereavement support training, delivered in person at locations across Australia or online where attendance at our office is not possible.

The training is conducted by our National Bereavement Support Team and is designed to introduce you to various theories and experiences of grief, introduce Sands’ unique peer-to-peer model of support, and prepare you for what to expect when offering support to vulnerable people. Volunteers have the opportunity to refresh their training at various intervals throughout their period of service.

For other volunteer roles, full training is provided in a variety of ways including training manuals, newsletters, online videos and online webinars. Our team will assist you to gain the knowledge you need to feel comfortable in your volunteering role.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will I need to be interviewed?

Expand

After you submit an expression of interest, our volunteer recruitment process consists of a preliminary phone interview to determine your skills and experience and the roles available in your local area.

Some roles also require a reference check, police check or Working with Children check, and depending on the type of role you are applying for, a short period of in-person or online training.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What are the benefits to volunteering with Sands

Expand

Volunteering with us connects you to a community of people with shared experience, helping combat the isolation of pregnancy and infant loss while enabling you to help others whose grief journeys are often just beginning.

Many of our volunteers have made valuable friendships through the connections made as a volunteer with us.

Our volunteer peer supporters tell us that helping other bereaved parents gives them a meaningful way to remember their baby.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will I need a background check?

Expand

Some volunteer roles, particularly those where volunteers are interacting with vulnerable people (e.g. on our support services) will require a national police check.

Any volunteers working with children will also require a relevant Working with Children Check.

You will be advised during recruitment if a check is required.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

I work full time – can I volunteer?

Expand

Yes, there are many volunteer opportunities that do not require you to be available during “normal” office hours. One of the best things about volunteering with us is that it can be done at a time that best fits with your lifestyle.

As well as having ongoing opportunities, we also offer volunteering for one-off occasions.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Do I need experience or qualifications?

Expand

For our direct support roles there is no magic formula or qualification required – we're rather looking for a unique set of qualities (empathy, compassion) combined with lived experience of pregnancy, infant or child loss to ensure the families reaching out to us are always able to talk to someone who understands what they are going through.

Many of our volunteers have interests or backgrounds in related areas – counselling, midwifery etc. but this is by no means a pre-requisite for the role.

For more information about the specific requirements of each volunteer role see our volunteer position descriptions.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How much time do I need to give?

Expand

One of the great things about volunteering with us is our flexibility. Because our phone support services operate 24 hours a day, our volunteer peer supporters can sign on for wide range of shifts across the week – day or night - through our virtual volunteer roster.

For support-based roles, we do ask a minimum commitment of one 8-hour shift per fortnight. We do offer other once-off or short-term roles that require no ongoing time commitment.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How long do I have to commit for?

Expand

It’s your choice. Your commitment to a particular volunteer position depends entirely upon your circumstances, interests, and the length of time your volunteer position is available for.

For those going into support service roles, however, we do ask people to commit for a minimum of 12 months due to the level of training invested.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What kind of volunteering do you offer?

Expand

We offer both ongoing and on-time volunteering opportunities, and have roles available in each state and in a range of areas, including:

  • Supporting parents as a Peer Supporter on our 24/7 Support Line
  • Helping to plan local events and memorial activities such as our annual Walks to Remember
  • Helping out at events and with fundraising activities such as Red Nose Day or Say Their Name Day
  • Assisting with office administration and support
  • Knitting, sewing, or crafting in our Treasured Babies Program
  • Teams or corporate volunteering.

To find out more about the types of roles available visit our volunteer information page.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 19th January, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Do I have to be a bereaved parent to volunteer?

Expand

Not everyone who volunteers with us has lost a baby or child, but all of our volunteers have a sensitivity towards and empathy for the experience of bereaved families.

We have a range of non-support-based volunteer roles that anyone is welcome to apply for. You may be interested in becoming a Health Professional Liaison volunteer or an event volunteer.

From time to time we also recruit volunteers with specific skills such as photography or journalism.

Learn more about volunteering for Sands (and Red Nose) 

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 19th January, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Who can volunteer?

Expand

Anyone over the age of 18 who has lived experience of miscarriage, medical termination, stillbirth or newborn death can apply to become a volunteer peer supporter. Due to the emotional nature of these roles we ask that potential volunteers wait at least twelve months after their most recent loss to ensure they are in the best possible position to provide support to other parents.

We welcome applications from men and women from a range of backgrounds and with a range of personal experiences of loss. As many of our support services operate by phone or online, you can become a volunteer parent supporter with us no matter where you live in Australia.

Published: 11th July, 2019

Updated: 1st July, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Showing 10 of 13

Latest

  • Say Their Name Day Morning Tea - Kensington WA

    Say Their Name Day Morning Tea - Kensington WA

    You’re invited to join us this Say Their Name Day at our Kensington, Western Australia office.

  • Say Their Name Day and Open House - Hawthorn

    Say Their Name Day and Open House - Hawthorn

    Join us on Saturday 25 March as we gather together at our new office suite to celebrate Say Their Name Day.

  • Say Their Name BBQ - Mt Gravatt

    Say Their Name BBQ - Mt Gravatt

    Join us on March 25th and help raise awareness of pregnancy, baby and child loss and raise much-needed funds to ensure every bereaved family has access to the support they need, for as long as they need it.

  • MusselRowers - Bass Strait Crossing to raise funds for Red Nose including Sands

    MusselRowers - Bass Strait Crossing to raise funds for Red Nose including Sands

    This February, the Red Nose MusselRowers will attempt to become the first ever all-female rowing team to cross one of the most treacherous bodies of water in Australia - the Bass Strait!

Most read

  • Miscarriage

    Miscarriage

    Helping you understand the complex range of emotions you may experience during fertility treatment or after miscarriage or early pregnancy loss

  • 24/7 phone support - 1300 308 307

    24/7 phone support - 1300 308 307

    1300 308 307 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year We're here for you.

  • In Person & Online Group Support

    In Person & Online Group Support

    Join other families who have experienced a loss similar to yours. You are not alone. We are here for you.

  • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 2021

    Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 2021

    “What would they have sounded like?” “Why does nobody call on their anniversary?” Parents share pain of silence in lead up to Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

  • Learn more about Sands' peer-to-peer model of support

    Learn more about Sands' peer-to-peer model of support

  • Stillbirth and newborn death

    Stillbirth and newborn death

    Support after the death of a baby through stillbirth or newborn death

  • Online support

    Online support

    Support via Live Chat, email & Facebook

  • Fact sheets

    Fact sheets

    Fact sheets for your hospital or health care organisation

  • Hospital to Home

    Hospital to Home

    Hospital to Home is a program funded by the federal government and designed to support bereaved parents following stillbirth and newborn death.

  • Sands is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.

    Sands is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.

Tag cloud

World Kindness Day

Our address
Suite 2, 2 Domville Ave
Hawthorn VIC 3122

General Enquiries
1300 998 698

24/7 Phone Support
1300 308 307

  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Whistleblower Policy

Sign up for Newsletter

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land in which our staff, Board and community work, live and visit. We pay our respects to the Elders of those many nations from past and present, recognising their continuing connection to land, waters and community.

We respect the knowledge and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with their strong culture and traditions whose hands have touched many babies birthed and children reared on this land, and acknowledge their experience of loss in many forms.

© 2021 Red Nose Australia. Sands Australia is now proudly part of Red Nose.

ABN 81 462 345 159

   
  
Red Nose Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land in which our families, volunteers, staff, Board and committee members work, live and visit. We pay our respect to the elders of those many nations - past, present and emerging, recognising their continuing connection to the land waters and community.
Manage Cookie Preferences