Getting involved with Banbury and District Samaritans

Volunteering

We are always looking for new volunteers to join the team at Banbury and District Samaritans, you can find out more about becoming a listening volunteer here: http://www.samaritans.org or apply following the link on our homepage.

From time to time we also have opportunities for support volunteers in roles such as fundraising, being part of our talks team or premises management and which will be advertised on our branch web pages.

You can make an amazing difference at Samaritans. Our volunteers are changing lives every day and developing valuable skills along the way. Volunteers are the heart of Samaritans. We welcome and value every volunteer, from all walks of life. Whatever your interests, experience or skills we could well have a role for you.

Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland takes their own life. Without volunteers, we’re unable to offer the support we do. The Banbury and District branch currently has about 65 volunteers giving up a few hours of their time to help support people around the UK find their way, through whatever is troubling them.

Banbury and District Samaritans is a friendly group of ordinary people from all walks of life, young and old, working or retired and everything in between.. You don't need qualifications or experience to volunteer as a listener but you must be able to listen without judgement or giving advice. High quality, in depth training is provided and you'll be paired up with a mentor for your probationary period taking calls.

This is what one of our newer recruits had to say:

"When I began my Samaritans training my expectations were cautiously optimistic. From my very first encounter; when I met with fellow prospective Sam’s at training to my very first shift ‘on the phone’ as a listening volunteer, I have always felt supported every step of the way.
We come from all walks of life, bringing our own skills and life experiences, that are enhanced by excellent training and fellow team mates' valuable input.
I’ve never felt out of my depth even when my calls have challenged me more that I could ever imagine.
Thinking back to why I considered becoming a Samaritan; for me it was because I was coming up to retirement, knowing I would have time to give something back to humankind, though not entirely altruistic, because Samaritans is a social family who cares for their volunteers. We can, once trained, choose to become more involved with the running of the branch. Or just book up for shifts to fit in with our busy, or otherwise, lives.
Since becoming a Samaritan I’ve learnt so much about peoples' struggles and the impact this has on their lives and those around them, but also, I’ve questioned myself; my reactions and responses in my everyday life, which really has helped me view every persons life, their troubles and to feedback with respect and empathy. "

Outreach in the Banbury and District Community

It’s important that we reach as many people as possible who are in need of Samaritans’ help. To do this, we have an outreach team who give talks to schools and other local organisations and attend local events to spread the word. Due to Covid, 2019 was our last full year of being able to undertake this work and we spoke to almost 2,500 people with visits to local WI branches, colleges, schools, Banbury station, Rotary, local football clubs, film clubs and events and we're excited to say that summer 2022 sees us hitting the road again.

Events for 2022

We hold - and attend - a range of enjoyable events throughout the year. The aim of these is to raise awareness of Banbury and District Samaritans and to raise the funds that are needed to run the centre in Banbury. If you've got an event coming up that you think we'd like to attend please email us at [email protected]

Town and Country Shows

We love pitching our gazebo and unfolding our chairs at numerous events throughout the summer, joining in the fun and games, trying out delicious food offerings, listening to local musicians and best of all meeting lots of wonderful people. Our first event for 2022 is the Town Mayor's Sunday in People's Park, Banbury on 10th July with more events in the pipeline.

Upcoming collections

Our volunteers are regularly out and about at local supermarkets and other venues collecting your invaluable donations that enable us to continue providing a listening service to our callers and we're planning our return.

Fundraising ideas

Raise funds for Banbury and District Samaritans when you shop online!

When you shop online you can raise funds for Samaritans of Banbury & District at no extra cost to yourself by visiting our page at easyfundraising before you make your online purchase.

Go to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/banburysamaritans/?t=Easyfundra... and click on the Support Us Now button to register. Then just remember to go to our page at easyfundraising everytime you shop online - there are over 2,700 retailers to choose from!

You can also make a donation of any size via our our link to Enthuse https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/banburydistrictsamaritans/profile

Other ways to get involved

You can help fundraise for Banbury and District Samaritans by holding your own event - any help you can give means we can maintain our 24/7 service to people in need.

Here are some fundraising examples.

• Delivering Samaritans donation cans to local pubs and shops in your neighbourhood
• Making craft goods for sale at stalls
• Contributing plants for sale
• Helping to sell at stalls and exhibitions
• Holding a cake and coffee morning
• Undertaking a sponsored challenge

Claire Squires: her lasting legacy to Banbury Samaritans

In 2012, Claire Squires died whilst running the London Marathon for Samaritans. Her mum, Cilla, had been a volunteer for 24 years, many of them at Banbury. Claire was an inspirational person, dedicated to raising money for charity. The idea behind the Claire Squires Fund is to make sure her legacy continues. The Fund was created by the unprecedented show of support from the public.