Samaritans say 'give a great Christmas gift... volunteer'

Christmas presents

Whilst you are enjoying your Christmas and thinking of the great things you would like to do in the coming year, why not offer now to give someone else the gift of Christmas?

The Samaritans promise that it will not cost you a direct debit or a one off donation, but it will cost some of your time… 

All over Britain, as people celebrate the festive season 2010, Samaritan volunteers will be available 24/7, answering phones, emails and texts from those for whom Christmas is far from happy. Our evidence shows that in about 75% of cases, being listened to by a trained Samaritan has been the reason the caller is still alive today.

Many people find the hype of this time of the year too much to bear because they themselves are emotionally distressed, even suicidal. The loss of loved ones through death, family break down; personal financial disaster; the loss of self esteem because of unemployment, abuse, bullying or mental illness; the loneliness which comes from separation from family members or friends at this season, are just some of the causes of their emotional distress.

It may surprise you that many of the people around you feel that there is no one who they can talk to. Often it is because of fear of being judged, making someone angry, or because they don’t want anyone else to hear what they have to say. Our callers trust Samaritans because we believe in complete confidentiality, a non-judgmental and non directive approach and personal choice of action. It is an enormous privilege for us as volunteers to share callers’ deepest feelings and support them through difficult times.

When people do tell us what our support has done for them, as you will see from Lisa’s letter, it reminds us that what we are giving them is unique and that our time, training and personal skills have been put to really good use. Last year 16,000 calls and emails came to us at the Rochdale, Oldham and District Branch. We urgently need more volunteers to carry on and expand this valuable work.

We have information evenings on 11 and 19 January at 7.00pm at 5, Caton Street, OL16 1QJ. Please contact us on 01706 868686. Selection evening 27 January and Initial Training will take place on 6, 16, 19, and 27 of February and 3 and 6 March.

So if you want to make a New Year’s resolution, why not decide to volunteer for Samaritans and help change peoples’ lives for the better?

Below is a letter from a Samaritans caller to has agreed for her story to be published…

I would like to say how much the Samaritans have helped me in my darkest hours.

I come from a horrific background of abuse which many of you could possibly never imagine, I went through the so called "care" system during which time I actually witnessed a murder.

Although I manage to function most of the time, every now and then the past catches up with me, it could be something as simple as a T.V. programme which can assault me with many horrific memories or something more obvious like seeing on the news that yet another child has died at the hands of an abuser.

It is during these times that I call the Samaritans.

I have always found the Samaritans to be much more helpful to me than the people that are paid to care.

I find the volunteers on the other end of the phone a lot more genuine than someone who is paid to do a job and probably hasn't really a clue what real life is about.

I know that the people that answer the phones are there because they want to be and not because they are paid to do it and this, is invaluable to me.

So if you are thinking about maybe volunteering, in my opinion, you are already halfway towards becoming a great volunteer, who, apart from somebody that cares about their fellow human beings would put themselves out to be a listening ear for nothing?

By nothing, I mean financially, what you would gain, I believe, would give you more than money ever could, who knows, maybe one day, you will get a call from me ( or someone like me ) , and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you may of given somebody the strength to face another day.

That, in my mind, is priceless.

Thank you to all the lovely people that have helped me and long may you continue,