For this month's 'Spotlight on a Volunteer' of Great Yarmouth Samaritans we say hello to Katy
We sat down with Katy, one of our fantastic listeners, to find out more about her experiences of being a volunteer, why she became a Samaritan, and her interests outside of the Samaritans.
How long have you been a Samaritan and what is your role within the branch?
I have been a Samaritan for 3 ½ years in which time I have been lucky enough to experience a number of different roles: the main role, and the reason I applied to be a Samaritan, a listening volunteer; Training Deputy Director; Caller Support Deputy Director; and a Mentor. More recently I have become Vice Branch Director.
Why did you become a Samaritan?
I had often thought about becoming a Samaritan but it had never felt the right time. Tragically a friend took their own life, I felt devastated that they may have never had anyone to talk to and saw it as my time to listen.
I felt devastated that they may have never had anyone to talk to and saw it as my time to listen
Katy, Great Yarmouth Samaritan
Tell us about your life outside the Samaritans, what do you like to do?
Outside of Samaritans I like to practice alternative healing methods, I love crystals, both the geology and healing properties they have and have spent several years collecting and learning about them. I enjoy yoga and meditation and have recently completed a reiki course enabling me to practice reiki on others.
What is your ‘happy place’? It can be a place, view, activity, or anything that makes you happy.
My happy place could be anywhere with my family, and dogs, but a corner in my back garden that the sun reaches all day would be a favourite, give me a good book and I'd happily get lost there for hours!
