Telephone support is a valuable way to support families who are isolated by location, mobility issues or who cannot attend group meetings.  QHVSG volunteers (currently not peers) call families around the time of the anniversary of the death to offer comfort and support.  The 24 hour support line is also covered by volunteers after business hours.  Telephone peer support can take on either of these tasks or have a more structured approach whereby Family Support Coordinators identify families in need of support and make a time for a peer supporter to call by checking with each person availability and permission.

QHVSG has operated peer support groups since its inception.  Support groups can be structured (facilitated, intentional peer support), social or informational.  Ideally it will be a mixture of all three however this will depend on each region and the identified needs of members.

Attending court with a family to support them through legal proceedings. 

Moderating and participating in online or social media platforms to provide an easy, safe way to communicate with others who have been affected by homicide.

A member driven mechanism for people affected by homicide to utilise their knowledge and experience to direct service provision, policy and research. For example, Queensland Police detective training. 

Speaking to the wider community about personal experiences of the impact of homicide with a clear objective of awareness raising of not only QHVSG but the impact of lethal violence and anti-social behaviour. 

We know that not everyone that wants to help has a lived experience of homicide; we wish no one did. We value all of our volunteers and know that without their support over 25 years, that QHVSG would not exist.

Our non-peer volunteers undertake a wide range of activities across QLD and come from wide range of backgrounds. Below are just a few of the ways in which people help, but if you have other skills that may be of benefit to our members please let us know.

All of our Directors are volunteers (both Peer and non-peer).

You do not usually have to have any specific qualifications to be a board member. However, the best boards are those that have a good mix of a large range of skills.

All board members, regardless of qualifications, need to be "eligible" in the eyes of the law to hold that position. An eligible person generally is:

• An adult (over 18 years of age);
• Not insolvent or under administration; and,
• Not disqualified under the group's constitution or due to a breach of their duties.

What do board members do?

Board members are charged with working collectively to act as the "mind" of the community group they serve. In doing so, they must work together to:

• Determine the group's mission and purpose;
• Set a strategic vision and plan;
• Ensure the group is financially and legally accountable;
• Appoint and monitor the group's CEO (if it has one);
• Ensure the group has adequate resources;
• Work to enhance the group's public image; and
• Assess the board's effectiveness.

In practice, this may involve, among a plethora of other tasks:

• Approving budgets
• Managing risk
• Keeping on top of relevant laws and regulations
• Approving major programs and projects undertaken by the group in achieving its mission
• Attending and participating in monthly meetings
• Serving on board committees
• Supporting fundraising strategies
• Representing stakeholders' views during meetings
• Speaking about the group at functions
• Acting as the group's media spokesperson
• Lobbying on behalf of the group
• Organising and attending board retreats and other evaluation activities

QHVSG is seen a medium sized charity. Board members serve a large community group and QHVSG has paid staff members.

As such the Board moves away from administration type tasks and concentrates on governance. In QHSVG, the board member's role is to work with the board as a whole to oversee and steer the community group.

If you are interested in these roles please contact admin@qhvsg.org.au in the first instance.

QHVSG provides 24 / 7 phone support for its members; it is a valuable way to support families who are isolated by location, mobility issues or who cannot attend group meetings. 

QHVSG volunteers (including peers) provide the first line of support after hours. Phone Support Volunteers always have a trained grief counsellor on back up if the need arises, so they know that they are not alone in their role. 

Volunteers are utilised for monitoring and updating Social media platforms, helping create our monthly newsletter and promoting events.

QHVSG is consistency involved in supporting research from PHD candidates and also in proving submission to government agency enquiries.

Having skills in academic research as a volunteer is invaluable and enables QHVSG  to advocate for change.

Volunteers are involved in planning, setting up and helping during the events. We even have volunteer entertainers!

Attending court with a family to support them through legal proceedings. 

Taking care of the outside of Solace House is important. Volunteers with a green thumb are very welcome!

We have a busy office and we are very tidy. Despite this having regular clean is very important. All equipment supplied.