There are several ways you can volunteer with Banbury and District Samaritans - as well as being a listening volunteer there are roles within our outreach team, events organising and fundraising.
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 80 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 local organisations, schools and colleges and attend local events to spread the word.
Events for 2024 - our 50th anniversary year
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]
We also love pitching our gazebo and unfolding our chairs throughout the summer attending fetes and family fun days, joining in the fun and games, trying out delicious food offerings, listening to local musicians and best of all meeting lots of wonderful people. Planning for 2024 is well under way with plans to attend the Banbury Town Mayor's Funday in July and Banbury Canal Festival to look forward to in the autumn.
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, dates for future collections will follow shortly.
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.
- Organise a pub quiz at your local
- Holding a cake and coffee morning
- Undertaking a sponsored challenge
- Making craft goods for sale at stalls
- Contributing plants for sale
- Helping to sell at stalls and exhibitions
