what sort of person works for the Samaritans?

[hazelnutfriday]

What do you think if you hear that someone works for the Samaritans? Do you think it is a strange thing to do? Do you think they are likely to be smug, or middle class, or middle aged? I am thinking of applying. I think the work sounds interesting. But I am not sure what sort of people I would be working with, or what it says about me that I am drawn to this.

One that needs a job?

Really?

Why do you think that?! They are people who give their time for free to help people in extreme need. And very importantly they are people who don't judge other people.

Someone nice and kind and caring, who is prepared to stay up all night to man phone lines.

I know someone - he volunteered whilst studying for a degree that was relevant to the work of the Samaritans.

The only person I’ve met who volunteered for the Samaritans was in her early 20s and then went on to qualify as a MH social worker.She was lovely.

Maybe people with personal experience of the devastation of being left behind after a suicide who want to help others find a reason to carry on?

I wouldn't really think anything tbh.

If pushed to describe someone who works for the Samaritans I'd think....kind, possibly religious, previous experience of suicide/the Samaritans either themselves or via a loved one, either quite young (students) or older (retired).

But I'm sure it's very varied.

There is no such policy. The callers should put the phone down and report them

Volunteering or employment?

Anyone who volunteers for any charity is bloody awesome.

Anyone who works for a charity is also bloody awesome because they are doing something worthwhile whilst being paid much less than they would in the private sector and getting a eirse pension than the public sector.

@Saucery there just isn't that policy though is there?

ok,looks like I am worrying about nothing,

I used to volunteer, there were loads of people from all ages and backgrounds. Quite a few were interested in studying or working in mh, some were retired and wanted to meet people and help people and many, myself included had been affected by suicide.

Having been a female volunteer, yes you do get those calls. When you realise what they are you end the call. You're not expected to accept abuse.

My friend volunteers for the Samaritans.

She is friendly, outgoing, life and soul kind of person. Her DH has a huge salary and she doesn't work but needs to keep busy and wants to give something back to society.

She can be quite outspoken at times and tells it like it is.

She's made new friends by doing this role and is finding it rewarding.

My mum has been one for years. There's a whole variety of people, some are retired, some are young professionals, some are in between or have flexible jobs like acting. It's a tough role. I have nothing but admiration for people who do it.

The volunteers are all kinds of ages and backgrounds. But they have to be pretty tough - perhaps resilient is a better word - because they have to listen to varying degrees of distress and despair and not make it all about them. They need to understand the need to be non-judgmental and to avoid giving advice. Have a look at Samaritans website for more information.

I am a samaritan and would say that all the people I have met who volunteer there come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, experiences etc .. I was impressed at my training with the number of young men in particular as was expecting a high proportion to be middle aged women like me - but actually we were in the minority.

There is a very clear policy on sex calls which is to end them ASAP - not sure why you would believe there is a policy to "force" woman to listen to sex calls - what a ridiculous suggestion.

I would say if you are considering it, go for it - the training is excellent and gives you a good insight into the role - the ongoing support is very good so if you do experience a harrowing call, you are helped to deal with it ..

Yeah, you're supposed to hang up if it's a wanking call (although apparently that's all moved into the online chat function now). I think the toughest part is that you can't actively help people who are about to kill themselves especially if they've, for example, taken an overdose are just want someone to talk to as they die. You're not allowed to call an ambulance or get them help. You just listen.

How do you know they’d even want to take you on?

A caring person and also a calm person?

There kind of is

I applied to work for the Samaritans before, although I wasnt offered a position in the end. I don't know if you're aware, because I wasn't, that you have to go through an extremely rigorous multi stage interview process and demonstrate a very sincere commitment to the job. This absolutely makes sense given what the position is; but I hadn't quite realised that. So it was for the best that I didn't work there I think because at the time I did not fully comprehend the commitment required.

The people I did my training with came from all walks of life but were all very caring and kind people. They very genuinely wanted to help those in need. There were noticeably some troubled people within the training group too, recovering addicts, homeless etc. I guess troubled souls just wanting to help people and put some love back into this difficult world. Lovely people but in my own personal opinion not ready to take on this kind of position. They did not get offered a job either.

Another thing I was told about in the training is that sometimes callers can get attached to you, even though the Samaritans do not accept requests to be put through to a specific person - so theoretically a caller should speak to someone different every time. However very occasionally callers will come to the building and try to wait for a specific call handler outside. Shift times are varied for this reason.

I'm not trying to put anyone off and I'm aware this post is a bit negative. Working for the Samaritans is a worthwhile and immensely rewarding job. But I think anyone wanting to apply should know it's an extremely serious commitment and is treated as such by the company. Not everyone can do it and very many people are rejected as part of the screening process

The very odd old man down the street from my parents used to do it, I always thought it so odd! He hated children and animals and couldn’t hold a conversation with another adult, always looked at the floor and never at someone. I was terrified of him as a child. He recently died and left the house to my parents which was a shock! It was a 1930s semi still with the original kitchen and bathroom and gas lighting!!!

after that ramble I think anyone could volunteer and it takes all sorts of people!

Have you not heard of the Brenda Line in the 70’s?
I’m surprised that a Samaritans volunteer has not heard of this or the, ahem, foibles of the founder that led to such an exploitative and misogynistic state of affairs