Could it be you who helps her see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Could it be you who helps her see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Since 1965 the Samaritans have been answering Kiwi calls with the time-honoured phrase: "Samaritans; may I help you?" Samaritans are volunteers, good listeners, non-judgmental, caring people who offer emotional support to people who are feeling desperate, lonely or suicidal. Samaritans are ordinary people from many different backgrounds, carefully selected, trained andprepared for the support offered by the charitable organisation. Rae has been a Samaritan for 19 years. She heard an ad on the radio at a time when she had some free time. "I'll have a go at that," she said, and she's been an ear on the phone ever since. Two of the volunteers have been manning phones and answering calls for help for 26 years each. "It's not hard to listen to somebody," says Rae. "Sometimes they just want to hear another human voice at the other end of the phone. Sometimes they have a real problem and a good listener will let them get around to it." Samaritans are looking for people who can listen compassionately and who are willing to give support to anyone who is lonely, frightened, in trouble or has come to feel life is no longer worth living. You don't have to be an expert to be a good listener. You just have to understand how other people feel and be there for them. Samaritans provides a training course at their Whanganui call centre. ¦ I am here to listen - not to work miracles. ¦ I am here to help you discover what you are feeling - not to make the feelings go away. ¦ I am here to help you identify your options - not to decide for you what you should do. ¦ I am here to discuss steps with you - not to take steps for you. ¦ I am here to help you discover your strengths - not to rescue you and leave you vulnerable. ¦ I am here to help you discover you can help yourself - not to take responsibility for you. ¦ I am here to help you learn to choose - not to make it necessary for you to make difficult choices. ¦ I am here. ¦ If you can volunteer for Samaritans, call 345 5090. If you need the help that Samaritans offer, call 345 5090.
