Sheffield Samaritans Seeks New Volunteers!

Sheffield Branch of Samaritans is looking for new listening volunteers, to help support people in distress or despair.

Samaritans operates from 272 Queens Road, providing 24 hour confidential emotional support, mostly by telephone, but increasingly by email, and face-to-face when volunteers are available.

Carol Sexty, Outreach Officer, says “over the past five years the number of volunteers has reduced and at the same time, the number of calls we receive has increased, so we are looking for more volunteers to help provide our vital services.  Anyone can be a Samaritan volunteer – you don’t need any formal qualifications or previous experience. The main qualities we are looking for are an ability to listen, keep confidentiality and not judge people”.

Being a listening volunteer is hugely rewarding and everyone is fully trained and supported. As one volunteer puts it  ““Before I joined Samaritans I was a bit worried about what it would be like answering the phone, but the training was really thorough and although I was still a bit nervous on my first shift, my group were very supportive and I feel more confident now.” Rebecca.

Samaritans holds an information event every month for local people who are interested in becoming volunteers. The events are held at the Samaritans centre, 272 Queens Road, S2 4DL (opposite the large retail park).

Each session lasts for about an hour and experienced Samaritans talk about what is involved and answer questions. If you like what you hear, you can pick up an application form.

For more information about volunteering, including the date of the next information event, please contact Carol (outreach) on 0790 7890309, email:  carol.sheffieldsamaritans@hotmail.co.uk or write to her at the address below.

Need to talk? We’ll listen. Telephone:  0114 276 7277 or 0845 790 9090, email:  Jo@:samaritans.org, or call in: 272 Queens Road S2 4DL (10am-10pm when volunteers are available.