Become a support line volunteer

Be there for people when they need us most by volunteering to take calls on our national support phone line.

Why be a support line volunteer with the British Red Cross?

The British Red Cross support line is here for people in times of crisis. 

As a national support line volunteer, you’ll be a listening ear when people need it most.

From advice after a fire or flood, to helping with cost-of-living challenges, you’ll offer emotional and practical support, including guidance on the services we provide and how to access them.

Volunteers on our support line join us remotely, so you can make a difference from your home and fit volunteering flexibly around your schedule.

Sign up to start helping people in need today.

Registration opening in September

We're currently making some updates to our volunteering website. Please do check back in September when we'll be sharing new support line roles. Thank you for your patience.

How you can help

We’re looking for people who can provide calm and reassuring help to people in crisis.

A great communicator and comfortable under pressure, you’ll be there to answer the phone and give support to people across the UK when they urgently need it.

Volunteering remotely with your own equipment, we’re looking for people who can help us for a minimum of two four-hour shifts per month.




Who can apply?

You’ll get all the training you need to succeed, but we’re also looking for someone who is:

Reassuring - a great communicator and a comforting listener
Supportive - patient, personable and caring
Resilient - calm under pressure and able to multi-task
Trustworthy - able to maintain confidentiality and act with professionalism
Ready to learn - no previous experience needed, just a desire to help.

A photo of a British Red Cross volunteer posing by a garden fence.

Benefits of volunteering

Being a support line volunteer with the British Red Cross, you will:

  • Volunteer from home with a flexible schedule, choosing when and how often you help.
  • Get experience working in a crisis and emergency response role.
  • Get access to training and development opportunities.
  • Be part of the world's largest humanitarian organisation and truly make a difference.



"The Red Cross stands for just wanting to help people, extremely vulnerable people.

That's the reason why we are here and I enjoy doing that."

Blessed, British Red Cross volunteer

Red Cross volunteer Blessed pictured sitting at a desk talking on a phone. Behind him on the wall are lots of papers, plans and calendars.