Worthing Samaritans volunteer Mark White explains why he gives up his time for the role.
Mark White, 51, has been a Samaritans volunteer since 2017. He has severe eyesight problems caused by glaucoma. He says his eyesight problems led to alcoholism, but through counselling and the work of the charity Addaction, he learnt the value of listening – a skill he now uses as a Samaritans volunteer. He no longer drinks and has been free of alcohol since 2012.
As a volunteer with Worthing Samaritans, Mark says he finds listening and helping people rewarding, and gains a sense of self-worth from being a valuable part of a community. “The Samaritans are a supportive family”, he adds.
Due to his eyesight problems Mark is unable to meet face to face callers to the branch in Lennox Road. But his fellow volunteers understand this and support him in just taking phone calls.
But that can be challenging. Mark says “The hardest thing is the harrowing calls, what some people are having to deal with, how low they can be. Some calls are hard to shift from your mind. You have to hope that being there for them was enough. It’s not good to dwell on caller’s problems though!”
When asked what makes him feel proud about the role, Mark says “Being there for others. I’ve been in a dark place myself, now I can be there for the callers, to listen, and hopefully they’ll find themselves in a better place too.”
If Samaritans didn’t exist, Mark says there would be more suicides, more destructive and self-destructive behaviour. “Giving them just 5 minutes can be crucial”, he adds.
Mark’s advice to other people thinking about being trained as a Samaritans volunteer?
“Do it, because the support for each other as volunteers is phenomenal. And you will be there for someone in that moment when they need you. We are all a small step away from being that person in a dark place. It’s a brilliant thing to be able to walk in and talk to someone who needs that conversation, free of charge and anonymously”
Want to find out more? Check out our Volunteering page