Helpline Volunteer (Text & Chat) – Remote

Help Missing People provide vital support through digital channels – and make a difference from home. 

Every year, thousands of people across the UK experience the trauma and uncertainty of disappearance – whether they are missing themselves or have a missing loved one. Missing People’s award-winning helpline is there in those moments: providing vital support and working to ensure no one has to face this crisis alone. With new funding, we’re expanding our digital services — offering support not only through online chat and text, but also via WhatsApp. 

To make this possible, we’re recruiting Text and Chat Volunteers who can provide compassionate, safe, and reliable support remotely. By joining us, you’ll help more children, young people, and adults at risk – while volunteering in a flexible way that fits around your life. 

💬 What you’ll be doing 

Using Missing People’s secure digital platforms (chat, text, and WhatsApp) you’ll provide sensitive, empathetic support to those who reach out. 

• Communicate compassionately with children, young people, and adults in crisis. 

• Explore and understand their situations, helping them access the right support. 

• Hear from young people running away, missing adults, and people who feel stuck and need guidance. 

• Support people who are worried about a missing person – such as family members. Provide them with advice to how to report someone missing and what to expect. 

• With the guidance of an experienced staff supervisor, help individuals reconnect safely with families and support networks. 

• Be a calm, reassuring presence – often at a critical moment in someone’s life. 

🌟 Qualities and skills we’re looking for 

No prior experience is required – we’ll provide full training. We are looking for someone who is: 

• A strong communicator (via text and chat) who is empathetic, patient, and non-judgemental. 

• Passionate about supporting vulnerable people. 

• Confident using computers, digital platforms such as Microsoft Office, email, and instant messaging (you’ll need your own PC or laptop and Wi-Fi capable of running our systems).

• Able to volunteer from a quiet, private space at home 

• Willing to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide references. 

We want our volunteers to reflect the diversity of the communities we support. We actively encourage applications from people whose identities or lived experiences are under‑represented in the charity sector — including people from global majority backgrounds, working‑class or low‑income backgrounds, men, LGBTQ+ people, Disabled people, and those with lived experience of missing or exploitation. 

👍 What you’ll gain 

Volunteering with Missing People is a chance to grow, connect, and make a lasting impact. 

• Comprehensive training: A 6‑week online programme with 2 hours of self‑paced learning and a 2‑hour live session each week with fellow volunteers and helpline staff, followed by a shadowing and induction period. 

Training times: You will need to attend either six Wednesday evening sessions or six Saturday morning sessions. Please ensure you can commit to the relevant dates before applying, as completing these sessions is essential for progressing through the training. 

Wednesday sessions (6pm–8pm): 2nd Sep, 9th Sep, 16th Sep, 23rd Sep, 30th Sep, 7th Oct

Saturday sessions (10.30am–12:30pm): 5th Sep, 12th Sep, 19th Sep, 26th Sep, 2nd Oct, 10th Oct 

• Ongoing support: Guidance from our Helpline Coordinators and Supervisors, plus regular supervision and peer support. 

• Community: Become part of a passionate team of volunteers and staff, united by the goal of bringing missing people back to safety. 

• Recognition: After 6 months of service, you’ll be eligible for a formal reference to support your future opportunities. 

🕒 Location and availability 

• This role is fully home-based. 

• Shifts will be 7 days a week, afternoons (2.30pm-6pm) and evenings (6pm-10pm) – we ask for a commitment of 1 shift per week 

• There will also be a monthly group supervision call you will be expected to attend.   

• Minimum commitment: 6 months+. 

🔎 Selection process 

To ensure this role is the right fit, our selection process includes: 

• An optional information session to learn more and ask any questions about the role. 

Mon 18th May, 6-6:45pm 

Thurs 21st May, 1-1:45pm 

• An interview and tech confidence task with our team (flexible times slots in late June). 

We’ll contact all applicants by mid‑June, though the role may close early if needed. Please include as much detail as possible in your application. 

👉 Apply now

To register your interest, please fill out the short form below.

If you’d like to chat anything through before applying, please contact volunteering@missingpeople.org.uk or give us a call on 0208 392 4590.