Getting involved with Banbury and District Samaritans

Volunteering

We are always looking for new volunteers to join the team at Banbury and District Samaritans. There are roles to suit everyone and many ways you can get involved:

• taking calls
• helping with publicity
• administrative duties
• fundraising
• photography
• website editing

If you would like more information or to register your interest please email: [email protected]

So many people have it in them to be a Samaritans volunteer. To touch another person’s life when it really matters, by helping them directly, or by keeping our branches running, is a rare gift and can be deeply rewarding.

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.

16 people take their life every day in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Without volunteers, we’re unable to offer the support we do. The Banbury and District branch currently has about 60 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 people of all ages and backgrounds. You don't need qualifications or experience, but to be a good listener, as in depth training is provided.

Karen, an office manager and volunteer at Banbury branch, said "Finding out about volunteering with Samaritans is one of the best things I've done. You're all part of a team and the training is thorough and really interesting. You're never on your own - we all have a mentor and ongoing training too. For me, it's been an opportunity for personal development too - you discover things about yourself as well as gaining new skills. And being there just to listen to people who feel they have no one else to turn to is such an important thing to do. I feel I get just as much out of my volunteering with Samaritans as I put in."

Becoming a Samaritans volunteer is a very rewarding experience and although our information events are currently on hold due to coronavirus restrictions, if you would like to register your interest or have any questions please email [email protected]

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. During 2019 we spoke to almost 2,500 people with visits to local WI branches, colleges, schools, Banbury station, Rotary, local football clubs, film clubs, festivals and events. In 2020 we aim to reach out to even more groups in our local area. Please contact our outreach team by email at [email protected] for information on how we can work together with you and your organisation.

Events for 2020

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. Although our plans for 2020 have had to change we hope to be out and about again as soon as it is safe for us to do so. Please check back on this page for up to date information.

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. We'll be back just as soon as we are able to.

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. Collections are currently on hold due to coronavirus restrictions.

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!

Other ways to get involved

There are so many ways you can help fundraise for Banbury and District Samaritans. Any help you can give means we can maintain our 24/7 service to people in need.

Here are some fundraising examples.

• Collecting donations at supermarkets, railway stations and other public places
• Delivering Samaritans donation cans to local pubs and shops in your neighbourhood
• Helping out at social/fundraising events
• Delivering posters and flyers to shops, pubs and other public areas
• Making craft goods for sale at stalls
• Contributing plants for sale
• Helping to sell at stalls and exhibitions
• Telling restaurants about 'Add a Quid to the Bill!'. Diners add a £1 donation to their bill
• Selling raffle tickets
• Holding a cake and coffee morning.

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.