Crisis support services manager Stephanie Robinson says the organisation is looking to recruit baby boomers who have the skills, the life experience and, at this time in their life, the time to offer their help manning the phones.

The training is already heavily subsidised by Lifeline Central West, but the $500 cost can still be prohibitive for some, Ms Robinson said.

The offer for free training follows a call by Lifelife for more volunteers to help handle the volume of calls from vulnerable people.

Thanks to the support of Raine and Horne Bathurst, which has made Lifeline Central West its chosen charity, two scholarships are on offer that will allow two members of the community to undertake the training for free.

Mr Robinson said the training will begin with an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop next Thursday and Friday and continue over eight Tuesdays from 9am to 1pm.

All the training will be conducted at Lifeline Central West’s office.

Ms Robinson said working on the phones with the organisation can be very rewarding.

She said one of their volunteers, who is 84, has even previously come in to work on the phone with broken ribs.

“She said it is the best medicine for her,” Ms Robinson said.

Because the start of training is not far away, Ms Robinson urged those interested to contact Lifeline Central West as soon as posibble

For further details call 1300 798 258 or email srobinson@lifelinecentralwest.org.au