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Newry and Dundalk Samaritans is searching for new volunteers to get involved with the charity and give something back to the local community.
They are looking for men and women, of all ages and walks of life, to join their current volunteers in dedicating around three or four hours a week to those most in need.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer with Samaritans in Newry, email them directly at newry.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org
You can also check out their website for more information on what it takes to become a Samaritan: www.samaritans.org
Samaritans will meet with potential volunteers over the next few weeks with the aim to start the training process in September 2025. The training will involve some online learning as well as in person classes over a period of 5 weeks.
You don’t need to have any special skills to be a volunteer – all they ask is that you can listen without judgement and be able to empathise with people going through a difficult time.
Samaritans are best known for the vital support given to callers on its 24-hour telephone service and volunteers can also offer support by email and face-to-face in communities, festivals and outreach events.
Martin Darling, the Director of Samaritans of Newry & Dundalk said: “Newry & Dundalk Samaritans offer round-the-clock emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope with whatever it is that life has thrown at them.”
“Every day, volunteers around the country respond to around 10,000 calls for help. It is a real privilege to be there for somebody who is going through a difficult time.
“We are asking people across the South Down, South Armagh and Dundalk areas to consider making a difference to someone’s life by volunteering with us.”
“It takes a huge number of volunteers to keep our service operational so if you are thinking about volunteering and making a difference to people’s lives, please have a look at http://www.samaritans.org/volunteer to find out if you have what it takes to be a Samaritan.”
Established in Ireland in 1962, Samaritans is based in 21 towns across the island of Ireland, with over 1,800 active volunteers on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
One volunteer in the Newry branch, Eithne, has been volunteering for over 30 years: “We do this because we know it is important. You are not listening to a problem, you are looking at what is going on inside that person” she said.
“Allowing someone the space to talk, and really listening to what they want to talk about, are skills we can use in our day to day lives as well.”
“You might be talking to people in their darkest moments but a caller once told me that Samaritans are the ‘link to the light’ and that helps to remind me why what we do is so important.”
Samaritans
You don’t have to be suicidal to call Samaritans. Whatever you’re going through, call us any time from any phone on 116 123 (this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.
