Telephone counsellor (self-employed)

Closing date: Monday 11 May 2026

Location: Remote

Salary: Self-employed - £30 per hour - Various hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Join us in Beating Macular Disease

Are you an experienced telephone counsellor (person-centred) who would love to use your skills to help us Beat Macular Disease?

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to Beat Macular Disease forever. This role is a wonderful opportunity to really make a difference to people’s lives.

About the Macular Society

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. We're the only UK charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease through:

• World class research to find new treatments and a cure
• Practical support for people affected by sight loss
• Trusted advice and support services that empower those living with macular disease

About the role

This is a self-employed role. Starting immediately, the therapist will provide short-term, person-centred telephone counselling. Counselling is delivered primarily via telephone, with the potential for online delivery (e.g. Teams or Zoom) in the future.

• Deliver person-centred counselling sessions via telephone in line with the Macular Society’s counselling framework.
• Offer a safe, non-judgemental, and supportive therapeutic relationship
• Support clients to explore emotional responses to sight loss, including adjustment, identity, anxiety, low mood, and relationship changes.
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify goals and desired outcomes for counselling, record session attendance, cancellations, and endings appropriately.
• Deliver agreed numbers of sessions, typically within a short- to medium-term model.
• Work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and the policies and procedures of the Macular Society and maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.
• Identify and respond appropriately to risk, following safeguarding procedures.
• Communicate effectively with the Counselling Service Manager and wider service team, seeking guidance where appropriate.

About you

You must be self-employed (registered or willing to register with HMRC), hold registration with a regulatory body, and have valid professional indemnity insurance. 

You will hold a minimum of a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling, have a clinical supervisor, and ideally an ICO certificate. Experience of working with people affected by sight loss, disability, long-term health conditions, or older adults is desirable. You will be confident using systems, maintaining accurate notes, and using outcome measures such as PHQ-9 and GAD 7.

Our ideal candidate will have: 

• Experience delivering person-centred counselling
• Experience working with adults experiencing emotional distress, loss, or adjustment issues
• Ability to work effectively via telephone
• Strong listening, empathy and communication skills
• A clear understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a wider team
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively
• A commitment to inclusive and accessible practice

Why join us?

In return, we provide a great working culture – we do something worthwhile and are proud to work together to Beat Macular Disease. 

Benefits include:

• £30.00 per hour (self-employed)
• Flexible working options to suit your availability
• Shifts available Monday to Friday
• Supportive and professional working environment.
• Friendly and inclusive team culture.

Inclusion and diversity

We are an equal opportunities employer and a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons, particularly people with lived experience of sight loss.

• Guaranteed interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum (essential) criteria and disclose their disability in their application
• Opportunities to request reasonable adjustments for interviews and the role

We aim to be an inclusive employer reflecting the communities we serve.

How to apply

For a full job description and person specification, please see below.

To apply: Please email your CV with a covering letter explaining why you want the role and how you meet the job description to recruitment@macularsociety.org 

Questions? Please address any questions by email to carly.johnson@macularsociety.org 

Closing date: Midnight, Monday 11 May 2026

Interviews: Ongoing - Will be conducted online, on a rolling basis, and may occur before the closing date.