Samaritans

(20 year old, male, 1st year student here.)

Has anyone volunteered there? What's it like?

I'm pretty close to a branch and I've always wanted to give it a go. The two main areas of appeal for me are (a) the work and (b) the training. The work sounds pretty amazing and wholely worthwhile. The training sounds like it would be valuable for all sorts of situations in real life and 'make me a better person' (I can't beleive I used that phrase).

I'd do this in between lectures and getting pissed in clubs.

Any thoughts or comments?

Reply 1

tbm

13

Ive never volunteered but as I work for a charity that has lots of volunteers who do face to face counselling, I can tell you that its hard work and not everyone is cut out for it. Also you have to be really dedicated and geuninely want to help people.

Reply 2

Juno

20

You don't actually learn to help people, so you're not going to actively counsel them or things like that. Basically, you're trained to listen. There's a bit of stuff here

If you fill in the online form, then you'll be invited to an evening where you can find out more. You're not obliged to go through with it if you feel you don't want to after that, but it gives you a chance to ask questions.

You are strongly encouraged to do at least one overnight shift when volunteering, but most people who volunteer hold down full time jobs too.

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

I have a friend who works for the samaritans and some of the things his had over the phone :eek:

I don't know any of them in detail as he can't give that information away but there are some days where he has it quite bad, others are good.

If you want to give it a go then go for it.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Hmm. Thanks folks. I'm up for going to an evening event where I can find out more so I've asked for an information pack/application form/whatever they send.

To Juno: I think listening is helping in many cases but, yeah, I do realise that it's a more passive service that helps people get things off their chest, talk through issues, and see things more clearly -- as opposed to an action line or something.

To Anon #2: I can imagine it would be pretty distressing at times but it sounds like the internal support structure is pretty good at supporting the staff after (and during, for that matter) difficult calls.

Keep the opinions coming :smile:

Thanks again.

Reply 5

Agrippina

15

My mum volunteered at the Samaritans for a few months, but gave it up in the end because she was finding that most of the calls were from sick perverts jerking off on the other end of the line at the sound of a female voice. A friend's dad found the same despite being male! Obviously for the night shift stuff it's pretty unnerving, particularly for a woman, and my mum found the sick calls outnumbered the genuine ones.

However, I think the Samaritans do need more volunteers, and as has been mentioned, you're trained to listen not to give advice, and you can't breathe a word of what you've heard to anyone else because of the confidentiality thing. Apparently you get paid for your travel expenses.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

OP

I was reading the stats in http://www.samaritans.org.uk/know/pdf/Inforespack2006.pdf and...

Suicides in progress account for 1% of calls
Sucidal caller with plans to end his/her life - 4%
Sucidal, but with no immediate plans, perhaps not mentioning suicide directly - 15%
Distressed but coping - 57%
Chatting - 14%
Inappropriate calls - 8%
Abusive, violent, or threatening towards the service - 1%

That doesn't sound too bad but, I agree, it's not good.

Reply 7

tbm

13

You're always going to get inappropriate calls/emails whatever support line it is, you're best just ignoring them and focusing on the genuine people that do need your help.

Reply 8

Angelil

19

I'm amazed that despite that 57% that are 'distressed but coping', the Samaritans that I've been in contact with in their capacity in this role have fobbed off the 'distressed but coping' once they've worked out they're not suicidal.

Certainly this was my experience of the Samaritans. We talked for a while and they asked me if I was suicidal, if I had an eating disorder etc etc. Once they worked out I wasn't suicidal, they said 'ah, well, if you ever do become suicidal, remember we're always here' (yes, really). Well, cheers.

I do admire the OP for wanting to give their time in this way though.

Reply 9

Juno

20

Anonymous

To Juno: I think listening is helping in many cases but, yeah, I do realise that it's a more passive service that helps people get things off their chest, talk through issues, and see things more clearly -- as opposed to an action line or something.

Yeah, I know listening is helping. but I was trying to get across that you don't say things like, "well, go and talk your friend and tell them how you feel" or "you should have an abortion". You listen, and let them make their own decisions.

Reply 10

Gman1617

i am training to become a samaritan and have just come back from my first training session today. I think its a really worth while thing to do cos it can help u in alot of other situations in life. However u have to be commited as the training is two months long before u get to handle a phone call. But as i said its good life skills. And brillant trainning with lots of support.

Samaritans

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