Hi all
I'm currently in the process of applying for a voluntary role as a listener with the Samaritans. I have so far been to an introductory open day but haven't yet attended the Selection process.
I was just wondering if anyone on here has any experience with the Samaritans? I really really want to do it but I'm nervous about having to see people face-to-face. I don't have any concerns about talking to people on the phone, but I'm worried about dealing with people in the flesh and my personal safety.
Am I being neurotic, or do you think there is a risk for me to be concerned about? I did speak briefly at the introduction session and voiced my concerns, and they did say that I would have a personal alarm, and someone would be looking at the CCTV camera but that they've never had any problems before, The experienced Samaritans at out introduction were all older though, in their 60s and maybe even 70s and I can't help but feel that anyone visiting the office would look at them in a slightly different way than they would a 28 year old female?
Maybe I'm just being a wuss... I can be a bit like that... but speaking to my family and husband, they all have the same concerns.
Thank you for any advice you can give me. I don't want to give up this idea without speaking to someone with some experience first. I'm interested to know just how often people do come in to see you face-to-face...
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Volunteering with Samaritans
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I think that's really nice of you to give your free time to help others, I don't know anything about the nuts & bolts of it TBH as I don't live in UK. I used to work as a translater and a collegue of mine was with the Deutsche Caritas Bund, similar to the samaritans I think, but they dealt a lot with debt counselling and they were always well protected in the drop in centres, I would think if you're face to face you would be protected, which is important as people can become overwrought. Couldn't you start on just handling telephone calls til you find your feet? Hope it goes well for you
Thank you HoneyChile
I don't think only doing the phones is possible... I wish it was as I think I'd be really good at listening to people but the face-to-face is really really putting me off.
Hopefully someone with a bit of experience will stumble upon this thread soon!
I don't think only doing the phones is possible... I wish it was as I think I'd be really good at listening to people but the face-to-face is really really putting me off.
Hopefully someone with a bit of experience will stumble upon this thread soon!
Hi DrunkTinkerbell,
I volunteered a few years ago for the Samaritans and loved it, it's a very fulfilling course where all your concerns will be answered. I found a job a month or so after I finished my training that meant I couldn't commit to regular 'shifts' with Samaritans but it's something I would definitely go back to in the future.
I did it when I was 21/22 so don't worry about feeling like being the youngest there - for all you know the person that walks through the door might be reminded of their parents for example having to talk to an older person, and may see you more as a 'friend' and be able to relate to you better.
The course is around 6 weeks if I remember rightly. It's a real group effort with a lot of role-play to get your active listening skills perfected. I'm normally so shy and hate talking in front of people, but I survived and found the training really helpful.
In my Samaritans office there was one room that could be used for drop-in visits, these weren't as common as you might think they are. The protocol we were told was to inform the other Samaritan your on shift with that you'll be in the lounge area. Basic things like sitting near the door, don't block the exit - your other Samaritan will also do periodic checks on you and like any other situation, if you feel uncomfortable say to the person 'i don't feel that i can support you in the way you want to be supported, perhaps i can arrange for my colleague to meet with you'.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.
kb.x
I volunteered a few years ago for the Samaritans and loved it, it's a very fulfilling course where all your concerns will be answered. I found a job a month or so after I finished my training that meant I couldn't commit to regular 'shifts' with Samaritans but it's something I would definitely go back to in the future.
I did it when I was 21/22 so don't worry about feeling like being the youngest there - for all you know the person that walks through the door might be reminded of their parents for example having to talk to an older person, and may see you more as a 'friend' and be able to relate to you better.
The course is around 6 weeks if I remember rightly. It's a real group effort with a lot of role-play to get your active listening skills perfected. I'm normally so shy and hate talking in front of people, but I survived and found the training really helpful.
In my Samaritans office there was one room that could be used for drop-in visits, these weren't as common as you might think they are. The protocol we were told was to inform the other Samaritan your on shift with that you'll be in the lounge area. Basic things like sitting near the door, don't block the exit - your other Samaritan will also do periodic checks on you and like any other situation, if you feel uncomfortable say to the person 'i don't feel that i can support you in the way you want to be supported, perhaps i can arrange for my colleague to meet with you'.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.
kb.x
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