I want to be a volunteer, what do I do next?
How do I apply?
You can contact us in a variety of ways, please see the Contact Us page for how to do so. Remember to include your full name, address and a ‘phone number in any contact you make with us, including if you contact us by email.
What will happen after I apply?
You will be invited to an Open Evening generally held at the Branch where you will find out more about Samaritans and Southport Branch. We hold several of these evenings every year so you should find a date that is convenient for you.
At the end of the evening, if you are still interested in becoming a volunteer, you will be given an application form to take away and return together with the names of 2 referees.
We always take up character references and if satisfactory, you will be invited to a Selection Evening at the Branch where an informal interview takes place. This allows us to find out more about you and allows you to find out more about us.
If successful, you will be formally notified and later contacted as to when the next training course will begin. We do not give reasons if an applicant is unsuccessful.
How long do I have to wait before a training course begins?
We tend to run 2 training courses a year in Spring and Autumn, so depending upon when you attended an Open Evening will depend upon how long you may have to wait. If there is a large number waiting, we will usually run an extra course.
If I don’t want to become a Listening Volunteer, is there any other way that I could help?
Yes, you could become a Support Volunteer instead. Please see Support Volunteer Information on the drop Volunteer Training page.