ALAN DURHAM

Alan is 57 years old and lives in Basingstoke. He works for Network Rail’s Western Route and has volunteered for Samaritans for two and a half years.

In addition to being a ‘listener’, Alan is an active fundraiser, supports Samaritans engagement events and is his local branch’s Network Rail coordinator.

“I have a nine to five job, which can make volunteering for Samaritans quite challenging, but NR is very supportive and offers five volunteer leave days per year which I take to support various Samaritans activities.

“My fellow Samaritans are also very supportive and helpful if I don’t have time to do my shifts. Sometimes I am available at short notice to provide cover for other people, and that’s when I can make up any time I may have missed.

“Working in the rail industry, suicide is unfortunately part of the job. I’d always been intrigued by Samaritans and admired its work ever since seeing adverts on the London Underground.

“The training to become a listening volunteer was a little daunting, however, the support from other volunteers and the training team has been absolutely brilliant. I was a little apprehensive when I first started to take calls but the amazing support has made volunteering an absolute pleasure, and I consider Samaritans to be my second family.

“Obviously volunteering does have some impact on my personal life, but I am easily able to do one or two listening shifts a week as well as undertaking leader duties, or assisting with training of new volunteers.

“I have certainly become a better listener and my patience and appreciation of others’ points of view has increased. This has helped me in other aspects of my life, including work and my social life.

“I would urge anybody to consider becoming a volunteer, either as a listener or a support volunteer. Being a listening volunteer may not be for everybody but it is a very rewarding and it’s a deeply satisfying role.”