call 085 130 4658
Volunteers of The Parent Phone
When you call or chat with De Oudertelefoon, you are in contact with one of our volunteers. These volunteers have been trained by us and all have a relevant background. This means that, due to their profession and education, they are used to listening and supporting people. We think it is very important that you are spoken to warmly, welcome, openly and without judgment by our volunteers.
Our volunteers have previously worked, or are still working, in healthcare, education, pedagogy, psychology and/or coaching. Many of them are older themselves, but that is not a requirement.
​
The Parent Telephone works on the basis of the solution-oriented methodology. This means that we do not provide ready-made tips, answers or advice, but our volunteers look for a good solution or next step together with a caller or chatter.
​
Our volunteers are trained, supported and directed by our volunteer coordinator Elsbeth. You can reach her at volunteers@oudertelefoon.nl.
Become a volunteer
The Parent Telephone consists of a professional organization and an involved team of trained volunteers. Together we are building on our mission: providing as many parents as possible with direct and free support and a listening ear. In addition, we want to break the taboos surrounding parenting: the taboo on asking for help, but also the taboos on shame, embarrassment, fear, sadness and other emotions that often pass by as a parent or educator.
​
We work on the basis of the solution-oriented methodology, which means that we do not give parents and educators ready-made tips, but ask the right questions to guide them towards their own solutions and next steps.
To ensure that all our volunteers act on the basis of this methodology, we train firmly on this before you actually speak to parents. In addition, we have monthly (digital) intervision with the team of volunteers, to learn from the cases we encounter and to keep each other sharp on the methodology. Twice a year we meet physically for a training day with a specific theme.
​
Being a volunteer at De Oudertelefoon is of course not without obligation. Together we facilitate a professional service that provides educators with valuable support. Below you can read more about what we expect from our volunteers and what we can offer you.
Volunteer requirements
The Parent Telephone is run by trained volunteers, who bring a relevant background. If you have experience in healthcare, education, psychology, coaching or the pedagogical field, you can register as a volunteer for De Oudertelefoon. In addition, we apply the following basic requirements:
​
-
You have a good command of the Dutch language, both spoken and written.
-
You are available at least 3 hours a week, at a fixed time, to be available (from home) for parents via telephone and chat.
-
You are present at at least 50% of our monthly (online) intervision and semi-annual live in-depth training.
​
Based on your registration via the form below, we will meet you via a telephone intake interview to see if you are eligible for our training.
​
Do you doubt whether you are suitable, or do you have other questions? Send an e-mail to our volunteer coordinator Elsbeth, via vacature@oudertelefoon.nl.
Register as a volunteer
We are very proud of our team of enthusiastic volunteers. If you become part of this team you will end up in an environment where you can learn a lot, just from home. The Parent Phone offers a transparent, honest and inviting working atmosphere, in which we ensure that you as a volunteer can thrive as much as possible.
The Parent Phone offers all its volunteers:
-
professional training in the solution-focused conversation method
-
monthly interview
-
semi-annual further development training
-
a very nice and involved team within a young non-profit organization with a big mission!
​
Are you excited to become a volunteer at De Oudertelefoon? Crazy! You can share your details and motivation with us using the form below.
We train a new group of volunteers every quarter. Our training period lasts one month and exists for two e-learnings, two online meetings, a live training in Amsterdam and an online practical test.
The dates and times of the next training sessions are as follows:​
​
Training spring 2023
April 6, 3:30-5:00 p.m. online
April 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Amsterdam
May 10 9.00-10.00 hours online
​
Training late summer 2023
September 7, 3:30-5:00 pm online
September 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Amsterdam
October 4, 9.00-10.00 hours online
​
Training autumn 2023
November 15, 3:30-5:00 pm online
November 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Amsterdam
Dec 7 9.00-10.00 hours online
You can indicate below which training suits you best. You can check multiple options, then we will see what fits best by telephone.
​