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.

Well, I was accepted to be a volunteer and the people I met there seemed lovely. However, I wasn’t allowed to start as I couldn’t work the nightshift as I had a child

You’re not allowed to hang the phone up. I done the training.

Yes I remember that.

@Mummame2222 - when did you do the training??

Because you can definitely hang up on wankers.

hmm, must have been around 10 years ago give or take.

At the DOOR. Sorry. FFS

I tried to get a job at the Samaritans but the bastards talked me out of it.

Just to clarify, there are very few jobs with Samaritans. The listening role is always done by unpaid volunteers.

I know two Samaritans. One female in her 30s (paid job also with a charity, but not connected) and a semi retired guy in his 50s. Both really together people. Calm, good listeners, rational and empathetic.

I think anyone who can carry out that role is amazing.

All sorts of people volunteer with the Samaritans, all ages, all walks of life.
What is important is an ability to be non judgmental and to be able to listen without prejudice and without giving advice or wanting to fix things or solve problems for the caller. Volunteers also need to be able to accept the fact that some callers may choose to take their own lives. This is very hard on a human level
Like many organisations that rely on volunteers there are practical barriers to some groups being able to participate. The Samaritans are supposed to be working on this as not everyone can work night shifts etc.

I know a woman who volunteers for the Samaritans. As a listener.

She's often on LinkedIn posting about mental health and reducing the stigma, etc.

She was also a horrendous workplace bully and enjoyed making other females feel small, out of pure jealousy and insecurity. First and only person I have ever ever put in a complaint about (as did others).

I can't reconcile the two things.

Unfortunately you get bad eggs in all organisations. 😔

@flowertoday totally agree.

But how could someone deliberately pick and poke and belittle someone at work and then think 'I know what, ill volunteer to support distressed people in my spare time'. I have often wondered why she chose me

My mum volunteered with them for years and ended up managing a branch for a while. I believe she was very good at it, but she’s a very emotionally cold woman. We’ve been NC now for several years now because of it. It makes sense in a way, she was able to detach very easily from some quite horrific calls/situations. I know she found it all incredibly interesting and made some good friends, not something I could do though. I have the utmost respect for them.

Me too. I am still alive because of them.

IME there is a huge range of people who work for them.

Don’t overthink it OP.
They obviously really like you and think you’ll fit in well.

Good luck in your new job.

I know a woman who has been volunteering for them for decades. She’s lovely. Doesn’t come across as middle class or a do-gooder or anything like that. She’s also not a saint! Just a normal woman who obviously has some great listening skills and has had been able to give up some of her time to help others.

@LaughterLentil I wonder if I know you! The FLs don't bugger off anymore, teamwork is key!

I know 2 volunteers.

One is a retired nurse (female)

One is a school teacher (male)

I think they are good people who have spare time and use it in a helpful way.

I was a Samaritan. Gave it up when I had DC as the night shifts were too much, but I fully intend to go back when DC are older. Loved doing it. Joined because I remember someone giving a talk about doing it when I was a teenager and I was fascinated.

My day job is not connected to this kind of work so it was something different and a really interesting experience. Yes the 'sex calls' were prolific but I always thought, if you're making those kind of calls to a MH helpline then maybe there's something going on in your life that isn't great.

A lot of times I felt helpless...but there were many times I think me just listening did make a difference. I wanted to help people in my own small way.

And I met my DH who was a fellow volunteer, plus some really good friends - so I'd recommend it to anyone considering it! Huge range of volunteers, all walks of life, no 'typical' sam.

I think they are amazing people and would never think anything else what a caring brave thing to do.

Two of my friends (a married couple who met at the samaritans) both worked for Samaritans. They are really good, nice people. Not religious as far as I know, just really good folk

I worked as a Samaritan volunteer from age 19 to 29, this was 34 years ago. I joined because I had a difficult childhood and didn't confide in anyone, which may have helped. I wanted to volunteer and picked the Samaritans because they were there for everyone and felt that no-one should ever be alone in life without someone who cared. The night shifts were too much in the end, only one a month but I worked full time. All the other volunteers were all ages and were lovely. An amazing organisation, honoured to have worked with them.

I volunteer led because I knew what it was like to be suicidal. I wanted to help. I was also doing a psychology degree and eventually, working towards being a psychotherapist. I did it because I believe that it is such a necessary thing.

I am w/c by the way. Well, now I look pretty m/c, but both me and dp come from council houses. Both first in our families to get a degree. I went to uni. He actually went into apprenticeship and did his degree, post grad, ma part time around full time work.

So we are not posh

When I was an RMN, I had a bit of a "breakdown". I had nothing but judgement from my colleagues who thought I should know better. I used the Samaritans a few times and they were the kindest people that got me through that time.