Listening Volunteers needed by Samaritans
Every 10 seconds someone contacts Samaritans. As a listening volunteer you get the chance to make a real difference to someone’s future by phone or email.You’ll receive full training to prepare you for the kinds of conversations you’ll have. Then, when you start out, you’ll have a mentor with you to give you confidence that you’re doing the right thing.You’ll gain a range of new skills, including the ability to understand people and manage difficult conversations. Many employers value these kinds of skills.Samaritans is proud to offer its services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Listening volunteers typically do one shift of 3 hours each week, including a shift during the night once a month. Shifts are available at various times during the day and volunteers often say that the conversations they have during the night are the ones they feel have made the biggest difference.
Skills
We're looking for people who are:Open minded: willing to understand someone else’s point of view, even if it’s different from yours.Supportive: maintaining a friendly and supportive atmosphere.Empathetic: comfortable with your own feelings and able to share another person’s feelings.Discreet: careful with any information you're told, never sharing it outside Samaritans.Accepting: not discriminating against anyone for any reason, including gender, race, sexuality, disability or political views.Honest: able to tell the truth even when it’s difficult – for example about the type of support Samaritans can offer people, even when they want more.
* Diversity and equal opportunities policy
* Accessibility
* Age restrictions
Listeners must be aged 18 years or over
* Child Protection
* Complaints Policy
* Confidentially Policy
* DBS check required
In order to safeguard our volunteers and callers the listening role requires a criminal record check.
* Ex Offenders
If you have a criminal record it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. We’ll consider each case individually.
* Health and Safety Policy
* Ongoing support
Samaritans prides itself in the support that it provides its volunteers.
* Suitable for Duke of Edinburgh Award
* Suitable for Supported Volunteering
* Suitable for Under 16's
* Suitable for Under 18's
* Training provided
Full training provided, usually lasting approximately 6 months, including a mentored period.
* Volunteers covered by insurance
When can I volunteer?
Start Date: 02/07/2025
End Date: 02/07/2035
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Morning Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Afternoon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Evening Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Availability Details
Shifts are available at various times throughout the day, evening and early night (up to 1:30am), so it is not necessary to be available at all the times listed above. Volunteers can choose the shift days/times that suit them.
Location
Samaritans IoW Branch Office
52 South St
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1JQ
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
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