"Anyone has it in them to be a Samaritan"

Monday 30 August 2021

Guernsey Samaritans is appealing for volunteers to help the busy charity make a difference when people need it most.

The Guernsey branch has been operating since 1963 and currently has 40 volunteers supporting islanders at their time of need.

Recent recruit Josh has been taking calls for four months.

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

"It’s helped me be a better listener, to understand what empathy really is and to try and be non-judgmental. These are all so useful in everyday life and I can’t recommend it enough.”

Local volunteer Josie said anyone has it in them to be a Samaritan.

“We are looking for listening volunteers, but also people keen to join us as support volunteers helping with fundraising and awareness raising in the community."

Every day Samaritans volunteers respond to around 10,000 calls for help by phone or email. In 2020, the Guernsey branch took over 7,000 calls and responded to over 2,000 emails from people in the Channel Islands and around the UK and Ireland. 

New volunteer Ben described his experience so far as “both rewarding and challenging”, and said that he “cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone looking to give something back.”

Volunteers must be 18 or over and can be from all age groups and backgrounds. You do not need any prior experience or qualifications, but must be non-judgmental, accepting of others and open minded.

For further information about volunteering for the Samaritans in Guernsey, please email: guernsey.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org.

General information about volunteering can be found at: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/volunteer/.

To contact the Samaritans support line, call Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.