Derby Samaritans includes people of all ages from many different backgrounds. And we always need more people. Volunteering can be very rewarding, you'll meet new people and have new challenges.
Volunteers and trainees have fun at the Branch Day, eat a sumptious afternoon tea and hear updates and a great presentation on autism and how to use this knowledge as a listening volunteer
Everyone here is a volunteer. We have around 90 listening volunteers in Derby Samaritans. Every time a new volunteer joins us, we can help more people. If you are tolerant, open-minded, and over 18, we’d love to hear from you.
Serving police officers and special constables can’t be listening volunteers because they have a duty to report crimes, which might conflict with our policies. But there are other volunteer roles you can fill.
We're just like you, ordinary and from all walks of life. Derby is a really friendly, welcoming and supportive branch with a real mix of young and old, new and experienced, and everything-in-between.
Listening volunteers
You don’t need to have a particular life experience or be from a specific profession.
Training
Our training is fantastic. By the time you take your first real call, you’ll be prepared. You'll also have a mentor with you to start with, to give you confidence and steer you in the right direction.
We run two training sessions a year starting in May and September. Each course is one evening a week for 10 weeks. For more information about all sorts of volunteering as a Samaritan, follow the links at the bottom of the page.
Read more about what is expected of you, and what you can expect and if it sounds right for you, you can apply by clicking on the link at the bottom of the Become a Samaritans listening volunteer page and we’ll take it from there.
Support volunteers
There's a whole range of other things that need to be done to keep the Derby branch running. You could help raise money or promote our services, organise an event, keep our computers working, or generally help with our branch admin and maintenance.
You can find more information about these different roles and if you think you could help us, you an apply by clicking on the link at the bottom of the Support Samaritans in other ways page and we’ll get right back to you – the branch doesn’t run itself, and the more the merrier!
If you have a query about volunteering at the Derby Branch email [email protected]
Now I take quiet comfort in knowing that by answering the phone, I can help someone feel better about themselves
Jamilia, Samaritans volunteer
Why should you become a Samaritan?
It’s different for different people. But here are a few things that many volunteers agree on.
- It helps you feel better about yourself. It’s a privilege to have people confiding in you. If you are a support volunteer, you still help to change people’s lives for the better. Volunteers say they find being a Samaritan – in any role – is rewarding.
- You will become part of a friendly, supportive and sociable community. It’s hard not to make new friends.
- Gaining new skills and having the confidence to use them, especially how to understand people and manage difficult conversations.
- Many employers value these skills.
Samaritans of Derby and District, a charity registered in England (1174130). Samaritans of Derby and District is a recognised branch of Samaritans.