Volunteer as a Samaritan

- So What's it like being a Samaritan?
You're reading this so I guess you're a bit curious about the life of a Sam. 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 Bracknell 01344 455556 and leave a message for the Selection Director.

-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 Sam life. They'll be honest.

-Yeah, but me I couldn't listen to all that sad stuff. How'd you sleep at night?
Well, not every shift (average 2 1/2 - 3 hours once a week) 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 (10:30 to 21:30 Mon-Wed and 18:00 to 21:30 Thur-Sun) 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 counsellor.
Phew. No need to be. We get really well trained and even get ongoing training "on the job" and as for counselling 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 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 two all night shifts (11pm - 7am Friday Night) a year 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 90 people, ages ranging from 18 to 80+. 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:

Selection Director
Hope Cottage
2 Mount Pleasant,
BRACKNELL
Berkshire
RG12 9AD

Phone: 01344 455556
Email: bracknell@samaritans.org.uk