Samaritans' helping hands - Celebrating Samaritans’ volunteers who provide vital community service
‘What I love is, when I am on the phone to callers, it’s not about me, it’s all about them. I’ve learnt the ability to truly listen and not speak about myself’.
Volunteers Week, just celebrated, was a timely reminder of Samaritans’ increasing importance during these post-lockdown times.
The annual event, that concluded on June 7, was a wonderful way to thank and celebrate the contribution of the nation’s volunteer force for sterling work undertook by these unsung heroes of the community.
It is their dedication that keeps a public service spirit thriving, no matter what.
Samaritans is a charity that really appreciates the amazing work that volunteers do.
How many volunteers are there?
The charity relies on a network of 22,000 amazing people who give their time for free 24/7 to ensure the service is there for anyone who is struggling with life’s ups and downs.
Their selfless contribution is inspirational.
An inspiration
One such Samaritans hero is Rich Holliday, aged 46. He says he volunteers because it can feel like you’re helping out.
“What I love about Samaritans when I am on the phone to callers is, it’s not about me, it’s all about them.
I’ve learnt the ability to truly listen and not wait to speak about yourself.”
He added: “I can now listen without any pre-judgement at all.
“I decided to sign up to become a Samaritans listening volunteer.
“I completed the training in September 2019 and then began taking calls.
“I was helping callers throughout the pandemic from the Huddersfield branch.
“I’m now the deputy director of the branch there.
“I’ve been able to get out of the house and do something other than my day job in the rail industry.
“I feel like Samaritans were one of the emergency services throughout the pandemic, and it’s been an honour to be there for people.”
Proud to be a volunteer
He further added: “I’ve made some really good relationships with people thanks to my volunteering too.
“My current shift partner and I are from very different backgrounds, but we get on really well and I love finding out about each other’s views and perspectives when we’re chatting between calls.