Volunteer
For almost 40 years The Caravan Drop-In and Counselling Service has been run by CCPE in parternership with St James’s Piccadilly. Whilst we have had and value trainee counsellors from other trainings as volunteer counsellors, we give students from CCPE priority. For many years now we have had a waiting list for volunteers from the CCPE alone, so unfortunately cannot accommodate counsellors from other trainings or qualified therapists/counsellors.
Many ex-Caravan alumni talk about the Caravan as being one of the most meaningful experiences of their CCPE training.
As students coming into the diploma, you have the opportunity to do your placement with the Caravan. There is a waiting list, so I encourage you to apply as soon as you decide.
How to sign up
To apply email Sarah our Caravan Administrator on [email protected].
You will be added to our waitlist and invited to the next Induction.
There are 2 or 3 inductions a year, usually at the start of each year and in late summer. You will be advised when the next one is.
Clients
You don’t know who will drop in to the Caravan and that sense of being open to the not knowing can be challenging. It can be people from the offices nearby coming during their lunch breaks to talk about relationships or careers, homeless people who may want a cup of tea or a chat, or those who fall between the cracks of other services, or are outsiders.
It is often those in crisis, who are sent here by their GP’s or the nearby medical centre, or any of dozens of other referrers because they need support now, not in 6 months.
Training and Supervision
We provide induction training in working with the client groups you will meet and you will develop skills in working with a wider group of clients which is enriching.
There is monthly group supervision and a mid month zoom supervision which is part of the continuous training and development.
Testimonials
As I was waiting today – in the rain – for my Caravan shift to start, someone approached me asking if I was waiting to go in; I thought she was a prospective client. When I said that I was about to begin my shift as the next counsellor, she said that then her timing was perfect – and handed me a card and a box of Celebrations chocolates.
From K
She is a nurse at the nearby Soho NHS drop-in surgery, and as many of you will be aware we get quite a few referrals from them. She said that they are so grateful to have the Caravan to send people to, and thought that we might not be shown much appreciation – so the staff there felt they wanted to do just that.
I am feeling very grateful for my time at the Caravan, and will greatly miss it, and my clients, particularly NNN, who has left a strong mark on me.
The Caravan is indeed the special placement I felt it would be and so much more, it brings me in touch with so many different clients and it is so well organised!
From C
Thank you for offering such steadfast support – I even appreciate it more after experience with other placements.
There is truly something magical about being in the caravan; to arrive – the hand-over and then locking up. The start and ending and care required for each shift. And then it’s done and it is much easier to let go.
Over the year I have had the opportunity to walk alongside almost a hundred different souls, at various points in their journey. This is a rare privilege that has left me in absolute awe of the trust that was placed on me, and the structure and support of the Caravan, that facilitates this. I am dumbstruck when I consider how many people have been supported by this institution over the years, and how the humble Caravan has given strength, solace and holding to so many in crisis. Not just clients, but also would-be therapists, at various points of their training. I have had the opportunity to volunteer for a few other placements, and the Caravan sets a benchmark for professionalism, and support and care of its clients and volunteers.
From L
I am feeling very grateful for my time at the Caravan, and will greatly miss it, and my clients, particularly NNN, who has left a strong mark on me.
