Blanche has been a listening volunteer since 2016. Here’s what she says:
“I’ve always felt a real empathy for people going through difficult times, and have wanted to do what I can to help. Mental health issues can come in different forms, many of us have or will experience our friends or family facing these. Just before I joined the Samaritans I’d been commuting to work for about a year. I was shocked by the number of fatalities announced on the tracks during this time. It saddened me how frequently these were happening, and how ‘normalised’ the service disruption announcements seemed to become. It made me feel heavy-hearted to think about what they must have been going through. I’d often seen the Samaritans signs and posters at the station, and on a particular day after a fatality, I went onto their website and contacted them to become a volunteer. This was something I had been thinking about doing for a while.
"The Samaritans provide such a vital service for so many people and I’ve always had the greatest of respect for what they do. Life can present us with many challenges, and through the Samaritans we are able to reach out to those most in need.
"What I like best about volunteering for Samaritans is being there for people, giving back to society, and feeling like you’ve made a difference. Every person that we speak to is so important, and for the time that you are communicating with them nothing else matters. Just helping them in the moment they need you the most.
"My advice to other people thinking about being trained for Samaritans volunteering? Do it! The Samaritans run recruitment days through the year where you can learn more. There’s no commitment by making an enquiry. The training is thorough and prepares you for when you’re ready to take the next step. There’s post training mentoring and on-going emotional and practical support to help you build your confidence. It may seem daunting but joining the Samaritans is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. It’s so important to look after your own emotional resilience too, and there’s a real sense of support and community."
Interested in becoming a volunteer with Worthing Samaritans? Check out our Volunteering page.