One-2-One

We turned a spotlight on one of our volunteers to provide us with an insight into why they chose to become a Samaritans volunteer, what roles they have undertaken within the organisation, how long they have been a Samaritan volunteer and how being a Samaritan volunteer has affected their lives both from a volunteering and personal perspective.

Interview with Judy, one of our deputy directors, who is promoting outreach work in schools, and would like people reading this, especially young people, to know Samaritans is there for them, to support them emotionally, day to day.

Q. What made you decide to become a Sam?
I felt the time was right in my life; I had more spare time and wanted to use it.

Q. How long have you been a volunteer?
6 years.

Q. Can you describe how you see your role as a Samaritan?
I see my role primarily as a listener and building on that and fulfilling other roles.

Q. As well as being a listening volunteer, can you tell us about the other posts you have had within the branch?
I have been a day leader and I have worked with the training team, mentoring new volunteers. I am now working with schools and groups of young people.

Q. You are currently looking at ways of reaching young people, forging links with schools & youth groups. Can you tell me about this work?
We are looking at ways of reaching young people by going out into the schools and colleges. In the last 3 months of 2007 we have visited and talked to 12 groups of year 11 students at a local Community College as part of their religious / emotional health studies. This will be repeated this academic year and hopefully expanded to include other secondary schools in the area. As our team grows we would like to spread this work to other youth groups, such as youth clubs, scouts & guides etc.

Q. Is there a reason why you feel it is important to reach young people, and let them know Samaritans are there for them?
Yes, I feel its very important, as young people have so much going on in their lives today – peer pressure, parental and academic pressures on top of the whole emotional turmoil, that is the teenage years.

Q. Do you have a message for young people who may be reading this?
We want you to know we don’t just deal with suicide, we are there to offer emotional support for the everyday problems and stresses young people face.

Q. How do you see the Samaritans moving with today’s world?
Samaritans are moving forward, as well as telephone contact and letters, we respond to emails and now welcome text contact from mobile phones. Our work now reaches out into schools, meeting youngsters face to face. We hope this promotes a greater understanding of our work, showing what we do and making us more approachable.

Q. Do you feel we meet the needs of today’s young people?
I think we meet the needs of some of them but still feel we have a long way to go, there are a great number of young people that are in need of emotional support in their day-to-day life.

Q. Someone reading this might be interested in volunteering but hesitating before they contact us what would you say to them if they spoke to you?

• You need warmth and empathy for other people’s problems
• Unlike any other charity work, your commitment to the work must be constant and dedicated, so the movement can maintain numbers and fulfil its 24 / 7 service
• The training can be arduous, but massive support is given
• Don’t be afraid to contact us, we can help you find out all about our work and us

Q. What qualifications do you feel a potential volunteer should have?
No specific qualifications are required. Qualities needed are time, patience, compassion, and a sense of humour. It is important to have empathy and warmth and be able to respect total confidentiality of people’s problems.

Q. Do you have a final message for our readers?

• We are normal everyday people trying to help people deal with normal everyday problems
• We aim to help young people to deal with problems and difficulties before they get to the stage of self-harming. It’s vital they understand we are there for them in the early stages, before their problems get so big they cannot manage or change them

Our thanks go to Judy for this brief insight into her reasons for becoming a volunteer with Samaritans, long may she and all our volunteers be part of Samaritans, and to our reporter for conducting the interview and preparing this article. Who will the spotlight fall on next quarter? Watch this space.

How about YOU?
If, having read this One-2-One it has inspired you to want to become a Samaritan volunteer in any capacity whatsoever then all we ask is that you do something about it NOW either email our Branch Secretary with your contact details or alternatively download an Information Pack by clicking on either of these links.

One day YOU could be the focus of a Samaritans One-2-One and an inspiration to others!

Previous One-2-One's

Interview with Eva
Interview with Duncan
Interview with Annie

Back to the top