Who are Samaritans volunteers?
Hear from some of our volunteers
Listen to Jan, David and Rosie talking about
why they chose to volunteer for Samaritans.
J
ane
Jane wrote on
her blog about her feelings when she completed her period of
initial training and became a full Samaritans volunteer:
"It’s not all that long since Samaritans weren’t encouraged to
reveal to anyone – apart from their families – what they were doing
when they skulked off into the night (or day, or early morning!)
for a shift. But sensibly, in my opinion, that’s all changed and
the decision whether or not to disclose their Samaritan status is
very much left up to the individual volunteer. Only my family and a
few of my friends knew that I was training to be - then working
under supervision as - a Samaritan, but I’d always intended being
totally open about it once I’d fully qualified. I think there’s far
too much secrecy, stigma and hush surrounding the issue of
emotional distress and mental health as it is; the more open we can
all be about it, and the more we talk about the help that’s on
offer - in my humble opinion - the better.
"I think the positive aspects of being open about working as a
Samaritan far outweigh the reasons for keeping it a secret. One of
the most important of these is the opportunity to spread the word
that Samaritans are just ordinary folk; ordinary folk from all
walks of life who've been through a long – and pretty intense –
training process, who will listen to people without judging, who
won’t interrupt inappropriately and won’t offer their own
experiences or opinions or advice, who won’t divulge anything to
anybody outside of Samaritans and will allow anyone - anyone at all
- who’s feeling really low, or upset, or depressed, or confused, or
worried, or sad, or is grieving, or is manic, or has financial
problems... well, I think you get the picture... the time and space
just to talk.
It’s a bit of an urban myth that it’s only people who are
thinking about committing suicide that phone Samaritans. The vast
majority of calls are from people who are in some sort of
emotional distress, but only a relatively small percentage (20%) of
those calls are from people who are already either actively
suicidal or are having suicidal thoughts. The idea is to,
hopefully, stop some people actually getting to that stage just
by lending an ear.
"So, these ordinary folk – who aren’t there as doctors or
psychoanalysists or financial advisors or bereavement counsellors
or any other kind of specialist – basically just offer a friendly
(though well-trained) ear. It’s been shown time and again that
listening to someone, unconditionally, can help to reduce their
distress; no matter what kind of state of mind they’re in. Offering
a friendly ear (that isn’t linked to any kind of religious
organisation – another urban myth surrounding the Samaritans) is
precisely what the Samaritans do, twenty four hours a day, seven
days a week – and it makes me feel great, after a lot of training,
mentoring and building up of experience, to be able, at last, to
call myself a fully qualified Samaritans volunteer."
Elizabeth
Samaritans is a well-known and familiar name, but fewer people
know what's actually involved in being a Samaritans volunteer. For
Elizabeth, growing up on the same street as Darlington Samaritans,
meant that she was as familiar with seeing Samaritans as she was
with seeing her own back garden, but she was always intrigued to
know more.
When she did a bit of research she realised she'd like to get
involved. After graduating from Durham University and then having
some time out to travel, she became a volunteer. She finds it
really rewarding to be able to support someone through a difficult
situation, but was pleasantly surprised to find some other
benefits.
"I have met some amazing people at
Samaritans. They're not people I would normally have met in my day
to day life and they're from really different backgrounds but I've
made some firm friends. I think I'm more open to people than I
was."
When she's not working at Darlington College of Technology,
Elizabeth spends most of her spare time going to live music events,
working out at the gym, and travelling.
Jack
Joined 2000, Branch Secretary 2003 – 2007, appointed
Vice-Chairman April 2007.
"Shortly after moving to Glasgow in 1971, I shared a flat with
someone who was a Samaritan. I learned a little about it, and it
struck me as something really worthwhile. But at the time I was
just embarking on a business career, and there was just no spare
time for it. However I filed it away in the back of my mind as
‘something to look at again when I have the time’.
"Almost 30 years later I was talking to a business colleague who
was a serving Volunteer. It reawakened my interest, and having
retired from business, and with more time available, I applied in
2000.
"I became a full Volunteer in 2001, and since that time have been
involved in most aspects of the work of Glasgow Branch – including
statistics, administration (being a former printer helped get
details correct!), Caller Care, schools talks, publicity, computer
installation, rotas, our annual training Conference, liaison with
the ‘Friends of Glasgow Samaritans’, building maintenance (I have a
particular affinity for drains), notice board tidier, and Leader
duties – but not necessarily in that order!
"I am currently one of four Vice-Chairmen, with responsibility for
the Branch Leaders, and for SamCare – keeping in touch with
Volunteers who are currently unable to do shifts on the
phones.
"I’ve also been able to make contact with a number of other
Scottish Branches about various matters, and it can be a relief
sometimes to discover that you are not alone with some of the
problems encountered in helping to run a busy Branch!
"As ever, it is only when you really get involved with an
organisation that you start to appreciate the amount of effort that
goes on ‘behind the scenes’. The work has been fascinating and
rewarding, with a great sense of achievement, particularly when
Callers phone with their thanks for helping them through a
particularly difficult period in their lives.
"Outside Samaritans, I am heavily involved in theatrical
productions with Clubs and Societies in and around the Glasgow
area; mainly in set design, construction and Stage Management.
‘Taggart’ enthusiasts may have unknowingly spotted me during seven
years as a copper! And I’m an enthusiastic inventor – none of which
have gone far past the theoretical stage, you’ll be relieved to
know!"
Paul
Paul has been working for Central London Samaritans for four
years. His impetus to become a volunteer came from the tragic
suicides of two close friends. He has found more fulfillment from
volunteering as a Sam than from any other area of his working life
and would recommend it to anyone who feels they have the aptitude
and necessary empathy.
“Usually Samaritans fits perfectly into my
daily life. I often work evenings so being able to do morning
shifts suits me down to the ground. The acting profession
often feels a bit self-gratifying, so it’s great to feel like I’m
giving something back”.
See Paul explain how the Samaritans provide confidential,
emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week or
read the transcript
Imran, 24, has been a volunteer in London for nearly a year. He
works hard for a large corporation but wanted to add value to his
spare time and was curious about what being a volunteer at
Samaritans would be like.
Being at Samaritans has given him a lot of insight into people and
how he interacts with them. "It's also made me think about things
in a new light and question why certain people do certain things.
I'm more sympathetic as a person now."
Imran is living at home at the moment, but looking to buy a
house as soon as he can afford it.
"Because of my time at Samaritans, I'm able
to look at the future more openly than before."
Elaine
"Listening
to someone who is perhaps depressed, worried, frightened and / or
suicidal and who doesn't know where to turn to, is perhaps the most
valuable thing we can do for a fellow human being."
Find
out more in our interview with Elaine
Rebecca
Rebecca, 24, is studying Occupational Therapy at York
University. She's a keen fan of the outdoors with a particular
passion for mountain biking. She also loves socialising and meeting
up with friends.
Some of Rebecca's family and friends have suffered from
depression in the past and someone she knew died by suicide. She
wanted to do something about stopping someone else from getting to
that stage in their unhappiness and thought of Samaritans.
"When I listen to a caller's problems and
fears it makes me think of my own life from a different
perspective. It helps me forget about my own little problems and
helps me to see what's good in my life.
"Before I joined Samaritans I was a bit worried about what it would
be like answering the phone, but the training was really thorough
and although I was still a bit nervous on my first shift, my group
were very supportive and I feel more confident now."
You can read more volunteer stories on other websites:
I have learned not to judge, just listen - Cambridge News
Online
Hard Cristmas - Paul - BBC
It all seemed so
big I couldn't cope - BBC
Read our
diary of a volunteer
Volunteer
for Samaritans
Find out
what happens when you call Samaritans