Her husband has a girl friend in China. Albert is 68, and in constant pain from cancer. If you answered yes to these questions, then Samaritan work is probably not for you. But if you weren't sure, if you can listen to people in situations like these without making judgments, please contact us. We desperately need people like you.
Samaritan volunteers come from every walk of life.
The only things they have in common are the ability to put the caller first and to give them unconditional time and space to explore their emotions. Formal qualifications and previous experience are not requirements for being a good listener. What is needed is the ability to really listen to others, to refrain from giving advice, to leave your own religious or political opinions at the door and to abide by the Samaritans organisations principles and practices. Samaritans are not professional counsellors, but they are trained volunteers and not just well intentioned amateurs. Samaritans preparation course is a creative learning process, where people work together, sharing and developing the sum of their knowledge, skills and experience so that all involved learn.