A time to celebrate - a long standing volunteer recently retired after 21 years as a Samaritans volunteer - this is what Lee has said about her time with Yeovil, Sherborne & District Samaritans. Remember whatever stage you are in life, becoming a Samaritan volunteer brings rewards for you as well as the people you will support. We are always looking for people who want to help so apply now by sending an email to [email protected] or completing the volunteer form.
Samaritans and me.
When I was coming up for retirement from a busy working life as the deputy head of a large comprehensive school, I was terrified that the time would hang heavily and that I should miss the comradeship of my working environment. For some years I had been interested in the aims and purposes of the Samaritans and when a young, and very dear nephew committed suicide I bitterly regretted that no one had pointed him in that direction. Instead he sought comfort from his church which he found locked on the very night he was in despair. This thought germinated in my mind for a few years and so I explored the possibility of asking to become a SAM.
I retired in December, applied in February and was somewhat surprised to be told that I had to wait until September to be invited to a “selection day”. So, they weren’t jumping to receive me with open arms! I later learned, of course , that this care over selection is absolutely vital. SAMS and the applicant have to perfectly sure that they gel together and that this is not something to rush into.
My weeks of training in a then, dingy room in Everton Road , were interesting and scary in equal degree. We spent a lot of time weighing up the other members of the group and I quickly became aware that I was in a total cross section of the community.
I approved of this because I did not want to spend my retirement with like minded, similar interest people, which would have been an easy option.
I had to learn two lessons very quickly. Not ever to give advice, which I had done all my working life, and not to be flippant. This was a very sincere bunch of people who took their responsibility to callers with the utmost seriousness and flippancy was not on the agenda.
After a period of probation in the operations room I was hugely pleased to be accepted as a SAM and given my coveted number. A rite of passage into the world of listening and caring.
I was looking for an organisation with a strong sense of caring about those in crisis, where the unfairnesses of the world were recognised and understood. I wanted to mix with an equalitarian bunch who all shared a common purpose. I got all of that and more: I got friends.
I also had the opportunity, over the next 21years to keep abreast of current issues besetting some very disadvantaged people. We were on the front line of listening to a total range of things which worry people. It helps to keep your own life in perspective.
Of course times move on: new premises in The Park, new technology bringing new ways for people to communicate with us. Whatever happened over the years, arriving to do your shift meant you left your own concerns at the door and that felt good!
I met some amazing fellow SAMs over the years. It was always a delight to look forward to being there to exchange views and news. I made some life long friends and shall miss the opportunity to make new friends now that I have reluctantly retired.
Yeovil SAMs is going from strength to strength and I shall miss them all, but know that the callers will still get the best possible responses.
Lee