1. Do I have to pay to register?
No. There is no registration fee to become a volunteer with A Sound Life. Once accepted as a volunteer, you will receive your free ASL t-shirt, specialised training and the opportunity to experience the joy in volunteering.
2. What is involved in the registration process and how long does it take?
The process is easy but will require a small amount of your time. You will need to:
Complete the online registration form
Schedule a 45 minute Zoom interview with one of our friendly staff
Agree to our terms of service
Upload a current Police and Working With Children Check
Upload a current Public Liability Insurance Certificate & Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (Yoga Volunteers only)
Schedule and complete your specialised training
Observe a session/s with one of our qualified volunteers
You’re now ready to sign up for your first official volunteer experience!
3. What kind of questions do you ask in the interview?
As we provide support services to vulnerable communities, it is imperative that we onboard the right people for the job.
And so, the interview process is designed to find out a little more about you. It consists of a light-hearted conversation that is honest, relaxed and supportive.
We may ask or be interested in:
Previous volunteering experience (if any)
Qualifications in your field and time of service
Coping abilities / strategies
Commitment availability
What you hope to experience from volunteering
4. What is involved in the Police and Working With Children Checks?
It is a requirement that all our volunteers complete both a Police and Working With Children Check before volunteering with A Sound Life. Due to the type of communities we serve and the nature of the environments we visit, these must be complete before volunteering.
You may already have a police check available which we will review. Alternatively, you can apply for one online via an independently registered organisation such as - Fit 2 Work or National Crime Check. The cost of these are approximately $25.
You can apply for your free Working With Children Check via your state government website and will also need to visit a local Service Centre to complete the process.
As the Police and Working With Children Checks are processed independently, the timeframe for completion can vary. On average, you can expect the checks to take anything from 24 hours to 3 weeks.
If you have any concerns regarding the status of your own check, please contact one of our ASL staff to discuss further.
5. I am a qualified Yoga Teacher but I don’t have Insurance?
It is a requirement that all our active yoga volunteers have their own current personal public liability insurance. For those that teach regularly, you may already have this available. For those without this insurance we recommend https://www.duckforcover.com.au/html/ or https://www.insurancehouse.com.au/
6. What is involved in the training?
Our Yoga, Music and Volunteer Guides all undertake different training.
Our Yoga Training is delivered across a 3 week period to allow you the time and space to successfully complete. It is facilitated by the wonderful – Nikola Ellis from Adore Yoga consists of an e-learning module, live training and practical assessment. It takes approximately 15 hours to complete.
Our Music Training is facilitated online by our Music Program Manager – Simon Jankelson. It consists of an e-learning module and live practical assessment. This training will take approximately 5 hours to complete and can be done over two sessions.
Our Volunteer Guide Training consists of an e-learning module with A Sound Life, followed by an independent training facilitated by the desired facility.
7. How many sessions do I have to commit to?
We require you to commit to a minimum of 10 sessions throughout the year however we welcome you for as many sessions as your heart desires. We would love to have you volunteer weekly, fortnightly and even monthly - whatever best suits your schedule.
8. Do I need any yoga teaching experience?
Yes, due to the trauma-sensitive approach required, you need at least one year of teaching experience and should be both confident and capable to lead a room of participants, either in person or on Zoom.
9. When do sessions take place?
Our sessions take place between 10am and 5pm on weekdays. Please consider your schedule carefully and ensure you can commit to completing sessions in this time frame.
We understand this may be challenging for some but would encourage you to speak with your employer about the possibility. Many organisations are happy to support their staff in a volunteer role for an hour or two a month.
10. Where do sessions take place?
We services facilities both in-person and virtually throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong, Queensland and Byron Bay.
If you live outside of these parameters or are unable to visit in-person our virtual sessions are the perfect solution as they will allow you to volunteer via Zoom - no matter where you are.
11. How long are the sessions?
The sessions generally run between 45 minutes to 1 hour. This varies based on the type of session (music or yoga) and if it is facilitated in-person or online.
An in-person session will also require travel to and from the facility. We would expect the total time of travel, parking and the session not to exceed 3 hours at a maximum.
12. What support do I get as a volunteer?
As little or as much as you need. We have a dedicated team available to support you at any time. For your first session we will be by your side to ensure you are prepared, confident and ready. We will remain readily available to debrief a session, provide feedback and any additional support required throughout your volunteer journey. We also have access to a qualified counsellor who is there to talk, free of charge, should you feel you need to discuss things further.
13. How do I get to experience more as an A Sound Life Volunteer?
We’re all about community. We love coming together to connect, have fun and celebrate our family of volunteers. We host gatherings throughout the year that provide an opportunity to meet other volunteers, share music, practice yoga, meditate, talk and enjoy the wonderful community of A Sound Life.
We also host masterclasses to continue the development of your skills and training and provide access to any community events that become available to us through our networks.
