CALL – Community Advice & Listening Line - aims to pilot a model of new professional information and referral Helpline for Co. Wexford staffed by trained volunteers.

County Wexford Partnership (CWP) manages the day-to-day management of the service with advice, guidance and sponsorship from the HSE (Suicide Prevention Resource Officer, South East).

The service is aimed at providing advice, guidance, listening and referral for callers who are experiencing stressful situations resulting from financial, social or other issues, which may affect their ability to function in society.  CALL improves the availability and accessibility of information on where and how to get help and will be an alternative approach to information provision; using telephone and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The Helpline will be an inter-agency, early intervention measure for those who are particularly vulnerable to stress, depression, self-harm and ultimately - suicide.

March 2008 Newsletter

The key feature of CALL is that it is an inter-agency project. In situations where information/advice and support cannot be given directly by volunteer operators of the Helpline, there will be a commitment that the relevant agency/ service will respond to a referral by the Helpline within a specific time period.

These relevant service providers are asked to support the service by liaising and following up on referrals, thus providing an integrated strategic approach within County Wexford.  Key partners in relation to the project will include community representatives and service providers as well as various projects within CWP offering direct support, e.g. Young Adult Support Programme, TUS – Small holders support programme, etc. The project, a positive mental health promotion programme, will help increase resilience, reduce negative stress levels and hopes in the long term to reduce the risk of engaging in suicidal behaviour in the general population as well as in specific groups.

Volunteer Information

 Volunteer participation is of primary importance and the project will allow for

all volunteers to be fully trained in the appropriate communication skills before becoming operators. Great value will be placed on the importance of implementing a quality and ongoing training programme, as well as professional support structures and induction for all project volunteers so as to provide a quality service that serves the needs of both the caller and the operator in stressful circumstances.