Have you ever thought about joining Samaritans? We talked to local resident, Mary Bramwell, who is one of the Yeovil Branch’s longest serving volunteers.
Have you ever thought about joining Samaritans? We talked to local resident, Mary Bramwell, who is one of the Yeovil Branch’s longest serving volunteers, to find out what it’s like to be a Samaritan, what work they do in the community and what it takes to make a Samaritans volunteer. - Originally written for the Barwick and Stoford Messenger
Have you ever thought about joining Samaritans? We talked to local resident, Mary Bramwell, who is one of the Yeovil Branch’s longest serving volunteers, to find out what it’s like to be a Samaritan, what work they do in the community and what it takes to make a Samaritans volunteer. - Originally written for the Barwick and Stoford Messenger
How long have you been with the Samaritans and what inspired you to join?
I joined Samaritans in 1972 helping between 71/72 to start the Branch in Yeovil, feeling at the time the desire to help others as I had been helped. Much has changed in terms of technology over the years but our core value is to help anyone who is struggling and remains absolutely at the heart of what we do.
How many hours a week do you volunteer?
I do a usual shift 3 hrs once a week sometimes doing extra if there is a need & I am free. I choose a time convenient for my diary as well as the Samaritans’ rota. Occasionally I am on call but not every week these days.
Can anyone be a volunteer/ what are the qualities required to be a ‘good Samaritan’?
To be a good Volunteer it helps to be a calm person, ready to listen, to be able to keep confidences, not to clock watch, to have a broad mind & dedicated to your commitments to the organisation.
Tell me about the high points in your time with Samaritans?
Sometimes we are fortunate to have feedback from a caller thanking us for the support they received which is always very rewarding.
Meeting volunteers from all walks of life is a joy. We share the one thing we all have in common, caring about each other and the community and wanting to help those in desperate need and less fortunate than ourselves.
Being a Samaritan is about many things. Responding to callers is the main part of our work but outreach is important to us too. We visit Prisons, give talks in schools and community organisations and also have a team of volunteers who visit A&E once a week. The more people know who we are and what we do, the more we can help to save lives.
And have there been any challenges? If so, how do you cope with these?
Challenges meet you every time you respond to a caller, you never know how your shift will go, but, you always have good support from colleagues. We care about each other as well as our callers.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about coming a volunteer for Samaritans?
You need to be dedicated, have an open mind and a caring nature. The training is second to none so you will be extremely well prepared. If you feel confident that you can spare the time required (including some night duties) we would love to meet you. Please give it some thought.
Why not join us at our information evenings which 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.