Listening

Listening is what we do best. It's an active skill, which helps you to connect with the person you are talking to. Being a good listener is about caring enough to take time out, and being there for another person. The secrets of effective listening are:

• Showing empathy and being understanding by putting yourself in another person's situation and sharing their feelings.
• Being comfortable with silence in everyday conversation. Instead of talking, wait patiently and give the other person time and space to explain how they feel.
• Being sensitive and caring. Sometimes it takes a lot of courage for someone to share how they feel, so it's important that you don't judge them, but just accept them for who they are.

Back to volunteering index

Back to main index