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Why join Samaritans?
Mention the Samaritans to most people and they will tell you about a Christian charity run by well meaning middle class 'nice' people who talk to people who want to kill themselves. Well - there's right and wrong there so lets put the record straight. Firstly the Samaritans is not a Christian organisation at all. Although the Rev Chad Varah started us in 1953, today there is no religious involvement at all. Current members come from all religious backgrounds - and that includes atheists. And while I'm on the subject of background the members cover all aspects of society - men, women, rich, poor, old, young. We have housewives, students, bankers, shop assistants, doctors, pilots, unemployed, film producers, bus drivers, company directors - even rock stars (the drummer for the band Radiohead is an active member). Phone the Samaritans and there is no telling who you will be speaking to. And it doesn't matter either. What matters, is that the Samaritan you are speaking to will listen and empathise - whatever the issue.

That's what we are there for - for people to call us when they need to talk to somebody in confidence about their problems, any hour of the night or day. Someone anonymous who will not need to know who you are - someone who will listen without prejudice and will try to understand what you are going through. Why? Because at the Samaritans we believe that if you can discuss your problems, and the feelings they involve, then you may be able to think your way through it and hopefully find the situation easier to cope with. We believe that the incidence of suicide can be reduced if someone has the opportunity to talk things through. We don't give advice or provide answers - we just listen and empathise.

We are not just a telephone based organisation either - most branches will accept personal visits too - no appointment needed just ring on the doorbell. Additionally, for several years we have also been contactable via email (jo@samaritans.org). No matter the mode of contact the same conditions apply and your anonymity is still respected.

So, who contacts the Samaritans? Those who are lonely, depressed, in pain, frightened, angry, agitated, dying, bereaved, separating, ill (physically or mentally), perplexed, drug or alcohol dependent. Usually it is those on the receiving end who contact us, though sometimes we hear from those who are responsible too, who perhaps have trouble coming to terms with the person they are. Invariably the caller presents a combination of several of these factors. Sometimes they have something they have just got to tell someone. Any of these callers may be suicidal and we always give them the opportunity to discuss such feelings. Don't think we are obsessed with suicide - but we do realise that it is something that anyone else you talk to would veer away from asking. Importantly we are also there to provide emotional support.

Some stats: - there are 203 branches throughout the UK, we have about 18,200 active members (all but a handful are volunteers) - and in 2002 we fielded 4,660,000 calls. Like most members I do at least one three hour shift a week - and once every five weeks I do a night shift - manning the phones from 11 pm till 7 am next day. So if you see a colleague at work, a family friend or a neighbour looking a bit bleary eyed sometimes, perhaps that's why. We are one of the few 24/7 charities in Britain - and thus callers are welcome equally at 3 pm and 3 am.

We do have a few very important rules. We may be a charity but what we do, we take very seriously indeed. Here are two.

One is confidentiality - we do not discuss callers or their details outside the branch. 'Sharing' such information with anyone is an absolute no no - and on the rare occasion it happens usually results in expulsion from the organisation. In ten years of being an active Sam all I have told my wife is whether or not I was busy tonight. 'Yep - how are the kids'. The ethos of callers being allowed to talk about anything that worries them in confidence just would not work if they feared that we would be indiscrete.

However - I have been asked how do you deal mentally/emotionally with really distressing calls (and you get your fair share) if you cannot then share the burden with your partner / family / close friends. The answer is that you can off load with fellow Sams on duty or the duty leaders. The support within my branch for example is excellent - you never feel you are having to cope alone. And this is very important.

Another rule is commitment - whatever shift duty you are allocated (or choose), you must do. If you can't do it you can usually swap the duty with a fellow Sam. You can't just not bother to turn up.

We only have one problem - not enough volunteers. Our numbers have fallen in the last ten years from 23,500 to 18,200 whilst the number of calls has increased from 3.5 million to 4.66 million. So if you think that you could listen compassionately without prejudice to someone pouring their heart out - then contact your local branch. You get several months training before you are let loose on the public - and you will be well prepared and looked after.

Tempted? - give it a thought.

To contact Guildford branch to discuss joining, please call 01483 505555.
To join another branch, please call the national number: 08457 909090.