Samaritans need you!

Sunday 15 January 2023

Guernsey Samaritans are looking for volunteers and will be running their next training course in February.

The charity is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary this year having started in 1963.

Now they need volunteers in all age groups and backgrounds, regardless of background or qualifications.

Local volunteer Josie says that “everyone has it in them to be a Samaritan… but you will need to be non-judgemental, accepting of others and open- minded. It doesn’t necessarily matter if you’ve gone through difficult times yourself, what matters is that you want to help people – all kinds of people, from all walks of life. 

“Talking to callers is always different and always interesting – no two conversations are the same. It’s a privilege to have people confiding in you, and it’s hugely rewarding.”

"Samaritans are there to listen, with no judgement or pressure, to help support callers work through what's on their mind. They don’t tell callers what to do or give advice. 

“People don’t need to be suicidal to call either - in fact, most of our callers aren’t. They are 'ordinary people' going through 'ordinary stuff’. Our training is very through and takes place over 6 weekly sessions both face to face and using digital learning. It’s very accessible and you’ll learn skills that will help you outside of Samaritans too. 

More information can be found HERE. 

Recent recruit Josh added: “I got so much out of the training course – I signed up to help others but actually the skills I’ve learned through Samaritans’ training have made a big difference for me personally. 

“It’s helped me to be a better listener, to understand what empathy really is and to try and be non-judgmental. You can really make a difference to people when they’restruggling to cope and that’s such a great thing to do. It also makes me appreciate how lucky I am in many ways.”