About Switchboard
Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (Victoria) Incorporated is a volunteer organisation which provides a telephone counselling, referral and information service.
Switchboard's service is free, anonymous, and confidential. Our phones are staffed by trained volunteer counsellors who are themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Switchboard was established in 1991 to provide a vitally important service to Melbourne's queer community. Since then, our service has grown to a team of over 60 trained volunteer counsellors that staff our service for over 30 hours per week, and take approximately 400 calls per month.
Counselling
Switchboard operates a peer-based counselling service with all our counsellors themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The service is anonymous, confidential, and non-judgemental.
Switchboard has a database of over 400 GLBTI organisations, groups, and individuals that we can put our callers in touch with. If you would like to be added to our database, please email us.
In order to become a counsellor, one must complete an intensive training programme. Switchboard's trained volunteer counsellors receive calls from a wide range of people: gay men or lesbians who may be experiencing problems at work, in their relationships or with their family; people who are coming out as lesbian, gay or bisexual; transgenders; and family or friends of people who are gay or lesbian.
Becoming a member
If you are unable to become a counsellor because you have too many other commitments and responsibilities but still want to support us in our work, you sign up as a so-called associate member for only $25 a year. Click here to download our membership form.
Funding
In July 2004, Switchboard was extremely fortunate to secure Government funding on a recurrent basis from the Department of Human Services. This allows us to improve core service and business, as well as strengthen our infrastructure.
Switchboard currently has no corporate or community sponsor. Our existence continues through a reliance on successful applications for grants, as well as generous donations from organisations and individuals.
If you would like to donate to Switchboard, or perhaps discuss a sponsorship, please contact our admin office. You can also donate online by visting the Our Community website.
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