One-2-One with Annie

Each quarter we ask one of our volunteers to provide us with an insight into why they chose to become a Samaritan 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.

Annie, one of our new Samaritans

Q. Can you tell me why did you decide to become a listening volunteer with Samaritans?
I wanted to feel useful. I have walked past Samaritans all my life, even on my way to school and wondered what they did.

Q. How long have you been a listening volunteer?
Four months plus my training.

Q. Where did you hear about Samaritans and do you feel that you were welcomed at your initial interview / selection and given enough information?
I saw the advert in North Devon Journal and thought I would ring up. At Selection I learnt that there is so much more to being a Volunteer than I first thought. I was also asked questions and encouraged to think about issues I had not considered before. I was made to feel very welcome and immediately put at ease.

Q. Can you tell me about the Samaritan Initial training?
The Training lasts 6 weeks, 2 full days (Saturdays) and 5 evenings, and prepares you to start as a listening volunteer.

Q. What are your thoughts on the training, did it help to prepare you for the work?
Fabulous, I loved every minute of it. I think everyone gets something different from training and I feel it taught me different ways of looking at things and not being judgemental. I learnt a great deal about myself. Skills practise was daunting, but paid dividends when I started as a listening volunteer. I feel the Trainers could not do better than they do and you couldn’t do the job without the training.

Q. You have now started taking calls; do you feel you have been offered help and support to do this?
Yes, my mentor* has become a best friend and I have received support that is second to none both inside and outside the Branch.
*(Every new Volunteer has a mentor, an experienced Volunteer, to help and support them through their first six months).

Q. How has being a volunteer affected your life both from a volunteer and personal perspective?
I would like to say it has made me a better person; I appreciate my own personal life a lot more. I am a better listener.

Q. How do you feel about night duties?
Its part of the commitment, it doesn’t cause a problem.

Q. Can you tell me about the Introductory Coffee Mornings you have been helping with?
Our Branch is introducing these as an Open Morning for prospective Volunteers to tell them about our work, give them a tour of the Branch and an opportunity to meet our Volunteers and ask questions. I feel these are very good, I enjoy meeting new people and it helps me reaffirm my training. When the prospective volunteers come in there is an excitement and apprehension about what we do, it is so rewarding to share this with them.

Q. Do you tell your family and friends that you are a Samaritan, and how have they reacted to you being a Samaritan?
Yes, I tell everybody. I receive mixed reactions but none of any significance.

Q. Do you have a message for someone, like yourself, who may be considering becoming a listening Volunteer?
To be there for someone when he or she feels there isn’t anyone else can be extremely rewarding. I have never done anything like this before.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to someone reading this who might be wanting to contact the Samaritans to talk to us?
Do call or contact us by email, we are here 24/7 to give you emotional support, we will never criticise or judge you but try and help you through an emotional time.

Our thanks go to Annie for this brief insight into her reasons for becoming a volunteer with Samaritans, long may she and all new volunteers be part of Samaritans, and to our reporter for conducting the interview and preparing this article. Next quarter the spotlight will fall on one of our training team members.

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

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