"Samaritans is something I really wanted to do."
Kate, who is in her forties, is a mum to three teenagers, works 35 hours a week and still has time to be a listening volunteer with the Yeovil Samaritans. How on earth does she do it?
It takes some juggling says Kate. I do a 2 -3-hour shift every week (which is entirely flexible according to my available time) and I sometimes act as a leader - overseeing a shift by other Samaritans from home and debriefing with them afterwards. I have a wonderful partner who holds the fort if I’m doing an evening shift but now that the twins are 13 and a half, it’s getting a lot easier.
Going out to work has never been a choice for me. I split up from my husband ten years ago, and, as a single parent at the time, needed to make ends meet. I’ve tended to work in environments which have not necessarily been a career choice but more because the hours can fit around my children.
But Samaritans is something I really wanted to do.
It wasn’t a lightbulb moment. It had been at the back of my mind for many years. I had experience of suicide when a friend attempted it years ago and I discovered her. She found support from Samaritans. Samaritans were also there for me when my marriage was failing.
I went along to an information evening and underwent the training in 2016. I can’t express enough how valuable this was for me. Samaritans training is the best there is. It teaches you so many valuable life skills. Of course, a Samaritan needs the training for their work, but what one learns extends to all areas of life, professional and personal. For instance, my kids and I have a much more open and candid relationship now I really know how to listen.
What’s also great about Samaritans is the community. My fellow Samaritans genuinely care and when things get tough, as they sometimes do, I can reach out to them and know they will be there for me.
My life is pretty chaotic. But if you truly want something you can always make it work. And I’m very glad I did, as being a Samaritan is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Could you do it too? You don’t have to have any particular skills or qualifications, just the ability to be open-minded and non-judgmental. That’s it.
Information evenings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG. To find out more, call our information line on 01935 414015, email [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-yeovil-sherborne-and-district.