Ashford
and Tenterden Branch
Volunteer as a Samaritan
So What's
it like being a Samaritan volunteer?
You're reading this so I guess you're a bit curious about the
life of a Samaritan. It starts in just this way.......idle curiosity
often. Bit secretive that Samaritan lot. Interesting to have a look
I've got a bit of spare time.
Fancy giving a bit back
What now?
Well you could read on and you could speak to our Enrolment Secretary
for an information pack. Ring Ashford 01233 610000and leave a message.
Hang on there,
not so fast!
No commitment, honest. Just find out more.
Ok. I'll have
a pack. What now?
Come in and have a talk with a couple of experienced volunteers. They'll
ask a bit about you and you can ask about Samaritan life. They will
be honest.
Yeah, but
me I couldn't listen to all that sad stuff. How'd you sleep at night?
Well, not every call is about life and death for a start. Sometimes
the satisfaction is in being there in case anyone needed me. But, sad
stuff? Well, we have a co-volunteer on every shift. We're never alone
and we have someone down the end of the telephone for us, to support
and debrief on every shift. We're never alone.
Is it all
phone work?
No! It's drop-in at times and there's always e-mail calls to be answered.
No excuse for having nothing to do!
I couldn't
t do that. No training. I'm not a counselor.
Phew. No need to be. We get really well trained and even get ongoing
training "on the job" and as for counseling thank goodness
we don't give advice. It's so hard to live someone else's life for them,
isn't it?
So, what do
you do? Sounds pretty useless to me. No advice..........
We listen. Good,eh? We ask questions and we listen to the answers. We
help callers to make their own assessments and take their own decisions.
So, someone
rings and says they've committed a crime..............?
We listen.
That all?
Police?
Can't trace calls. Everything's completely confidential within the organisation.
You're kidding.
What if someone says they're going to take their life?
Well, we so hope they won't. We wouldn't be Samaritans if we didn't
believe listening can help relieve distress and despair.
You'll tell
them not to do it...
No.
What?!
No. Samaritans believe in the right of the individual to do as they
choose, so ultimately they have the right to take their own life. But
like I said we hope they don't and that talking will help a caller see
other options.
We do ask every caller if they are having suicidal thoughts. Often we're
the only people who will ask or who can cope with the answer.
I heard you
have to do night work.
We do one night shift every six weeks but there are exemptions so don't
feel you can't apply on those grounds.
Ok. So what's
in it for me?
A lot. Join a great team of around 65 people, ages ranging from 18 upwards.
Make friends. Feel good. You really are helping. Develop your skills
in listening and relating. Could be useful at work and in the home.
Learn about how to support people with depression, who are recently
bereaved......... Anyone you know?
Maybe fundraise or give talks in the community. Whatever, the choices
for developing your skill bank are infinite. But best of all......
Yes?
Hearing: "I was desperate when I rang. Didn't know how to go on.
I feel I can cope with today now. Thanks for being there."
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If you want to find out more about Volunteering,
contact us at:
22 Queen Street,
Ashford
Kent
TN23 1RG
Phone: 01233 610000
Email: ashford@samaritans.org.uk
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