Volunteering as a Street Chaplain

Cairns Street Chaplains is a Christian based organisation working on the streets providing care and compassion to persons who are alcohol and drug intoxicated and other vulnerable people.

Street Chaplains have the following characteristics. They are:

• Prepared to step out of their comfort zone
• People who have a real compassion and concern for others
• Good listeners
• People who are able to empathise with others without judgement
• People with initiative and quick discernment, and
• Team players

Street Chaplains receive training in:

• Senior First Aid, including CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• Assessing risk and keeping themselves and others safe while on the streets
• Engaging with people who are alcohol and drug intoxicated or otherwise vulnerable
• Rest and Recovery van set up, use of radios and incident reporting.
• Treating all people that they encounter on the streets with dignity and respect
• Working as part of a team and with other service providers, such as City Council and venues security, taxi rank controllers, paramedics and the police.

This is to ensure that before our chaplains put on the Street Chaplains uniform they are confident and competent to provide the highest quality care.

Applying

Our Street Chaplain Volunteers have an incredible heart to serve our community. There is an application process to ensure new team members are a good fit for this very special role. This consists of:

• An initial chat with the Executive Officer
• Attending 2 patrols as an observer
• Application form and then an interview
• Obtaining a Working with Children blue card and clear Police Check
• References (including a Pastors reference if applicable)
• 3 months probation
• A one-off $50 contribution

Interested?

If you are considering applying to join the team
Email: admin@cairnsstreetchaplains.org.au
and tell us a little about yourself and why you’d like to become a member of the Street Chaplains team.