Become a listener with the Samaritans

I’D like to invite people to apply to join the Newbury branch of the Samaritans as listening volunteers.

We are currently looking for people to join the autumn cohort with training starting in September.

We have around 100 volunteers who are on the phones taking calls from people who really need emotional support.

Not all our calls are from people who are feeling suicidal.

We take calls from people all over the UK and Ireland who are finding it difficult to cope.

In the last year we have extended our scope to partner both the West Berks Foodbank and the Newbury Soup Kitchen where our outreach volunteers meet with clients of both these charities face to face.

This has turned out to be some of the most rewarding work that we do.

Every week we meet with vulnerable people face to face. It can come as a surprise to some that Newbury needs to provide these essential services, but it does. Believe me!

How to apply: You can send an email to Katie, our recruitment director: newbury.branchrecruitment@ samaritans.org – or you can post to, or pop a note through our door at 58 West Street, Newbury

RG14 1BD, with your contact details for the attention of Katie, recruitment.

What happens: We will contact you and invite you to come in and meet with us – in the coming weeks.

Our next information day will be on June 4.

What do we need from you: Training is for three hours a week for six weeks followed by a period of mentoring when you will be accompanied by an existing Samaritan taking calls. Thereafter we ask that you commit to one duty a week with a night duty every five weeks.

Who can apply: Anyone over 18. You should be able to commit to the three hours a week and be able to travel to and from our branch.

We run the training ourselves, and it will equip you to deal with some of the most intense and difficult contacts with people who really do need support. We very much look forward to welcoming new volunteers to our branch.

ANDREW MELSOM

Director

Newbury Samaritans