A presentation event took place near the end of 2023 for the many trainees that had qualified as full Samaritans.
Friends and families were invited along to watch new Samaritans receive their certificates at the conclusion of their 10 month training programme. Their journey had included formal training and digital learning before they started taking calls under the supervision of their mentors.
The new Samaritans came from very diverse backgrounds and managed to fit their training around their jobs or study as well as family commitments. All Samaritans are expected to average one shift per week, perhaps in the early morning or when everyone else has gone to bed, so that we can be there to support our callers 24 hours per day.
Three of our newly qualified Samaritans – Martin, Jacki, and Claire
Reflecting on their journey so far, trainees commented:
‘The training was very intense but really rewarding even though there were lockdown restrictions when I started and the training had to be done online. Not only have I learned so much about supporting our callers but it’s also been a journey of self-discovery’
‘Training to be a Samaritan was an amazing experience. I learned everything to best prepare me to be a valuable listener. The training was thorough and insightful and exceeded my expectations. It is so rewarding to be able to support our callers. My fellow Sams are a great bunch and I’ve made some lovely friends’
‘When I first applied to be a Sam I thought I’d lived a rich and varied life and was a reasonably good listener; how wrong I was! Sams taught me to really listen, with compassion and empathy. I have met so many new friends. Helping people in real crises can be tough but is also a real joy and brings great satisfaction’
Click here to find out more about volunteering with Samaritans