Listening volunteers are there for anyone who needs someone. Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. And they can change the course of someone’s life.
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. Every 10 seconds, we can help someone turn their life around. As a listening volunteer you get the chance to make a real difference to someone’s future.
What's it like being a Samaritan volunteer?
- It’s always different and always interesting – no two conversations are the same.
- It feels like a privilege to have people confiding in you.
- You’re never on your own, and there’s a fun, supportive atmosphere in our branches.
- You can offer support on the phone, email and text.
- You can take a break between conversations whenever you need to.
- Spending a few hours helping other people can make you feel good about yourself.
How much time do I need to give?
Listening volunteers typically do one shift of about 3 hours a week - Dublin branch is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Will I need to volunteer at night?
We need more volunteers at night so we're there whenever people need us – and often they need us most in the middle of the night, and there's nowhere else to go. Our volunteers often say that the conversations they have during the night are the ones they feel have made the biggest difference. A night shift is 6 hours (once every two months).