We shine a light on Mick - a volunteer at Great Yarmouth Samaritans

We sat down with Mick, one of our fantastic listeners, to find out more about his experiences of being a volunteer, why he became a Samaritan, and his interests outside of the Samaritans.

How long have you been a Samaritan?

I think it is about 29-30 years, not exactly sure, but it has been a long time.

Why did you become a Samaritan?

This is a bit of a long story. I lived in Hertfordshire at the time, and one Saturday I visited Letchworth Town Centre where they were holding a fun day in the town gardens. Hitchin Samaritans had a stall there. I talked to them for a while and didn't really think anymore of it. Then one day a friend of mine phoned who was in a bad way, very down. I went over to see him and he was feeling suicidal. I couldn't leave him like that, so we talked well into the night and through to the next morning. Gradually he became better and before I left him he thanked me and promised me he would be alright, and he was. I thought about this and about the Samaritans I had spoken to on the stall, so applied to join Hitchin branch and the rest is history.

Tell us about your life outside the Samaritans, what do you like to do?

Outside of Samaritans I have a first love for my dog Millie, since my wife died she never leaves my side and the feelings of love are mutual. I have a passion for classic cars, the photo below is me with one. I also have a large garden which takes up a lot of my spare time - I love gardening.

What is your ‘happy place’? It can be a place, view, activity, or anything that makes you happy.

Happy place? I don't really have a happy place, I can be happy anywhere depends on who I might be with and what I am doing, sometimes that includes doing nothing!