samaritans

Sparkles:)

hi guys,

i've just sent in my expression of interest form to become a samaritans listener and i was wondering if anyone could share their experience with the process of getting selected

sparksxxxx

black & white

There will be an open night, probably in early September where you will go and find out exactly what the training programme is and how long it will be. You will be given an application form which you will complete and drop back to them within a week or so, about 2/3 weeks after that, there will be selection interviews with training starting about 2 weeks after the interviews.

I'm not sure what part of the country you are applying to and some areas have a slightly different training timetable but the training programme should lasts 6 - 8 weeks and includes at least one all day Saturday. One night a week for about 2.5 to 3 hours. Be aware that missing one of the training sessions probably means you have to start all over again at the next intake ( Sep and Jan) .

After the training you will have another interview. Following that you will do several shifts as an Observer, just listening to experienced volunteers dealing with calls.

star gazer

There's a good Frequently Asked Questions on dublinsamaritans.ie It gives the national number as well for volunteering in different parts of the country with them.

volunteering

Dublin Samaritans relies entirely on unpaid volunteers to carry out its role. Currently there are 280 such volunteers who give of their time on a regular, weekly basis. Our offices are manned 24 hours per day by these volunteers whose primary aim is to offer emotional support to those experiencing feelings of despair and distress, including those that might lead to suicide.

These same volunteers undertake many other roles within the branch. These include outreach activities in schools, on the street and in prisons and several kinds of administrative roles that help the branch run smoothly.

Given the increasing number of contacts made with Samaritans, particularly via e-mail and text, we constantly train new volunteers.

Schnooks

You will also have to get 2 friends or workmates or family or whoever, to fill out a questionaire on you and how they think you would handle various situations.

A week or 2 after the open night, there is an interview. That can be fairly tough as they like to get under your skin if they can. But what I would say is be open, don't try and hide stuff, there is nothing about you these volunteers will not have already heard in their normal call-taking duties. Not everyone is called for interview, and not everyone interviewed is selected for training. And of couse, not everyone finishes the training.

The training can be fairly gruelling at times, but can be great fun at times also, and there is a great cameraderie in the Samaritans.

I am 3 years there now, and the the awful upsetting times are far outweighed by the sense of satisfaction that you have helped someone just by listening and asking leading questions, but never judging or giving advice.

It also makes you a better listener in real life, and you may find that people tend to talk to you alot about personal issues, even though they have no idea you are a volunteer, but they recognise that you have empathy and are a good person and don't run away from other poeples problems. As was said at our open night, anyone who is applying to be a Samaritan is already a good person.

All in all I am very proud to be a Samaritan. It wouldn't be for everyone, the fact that you are not allowed offer advice is off-putting for alot of people. Go to the open night with an open mind. And good luck