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Give the gift of time this Christmas by becoming a volunteer for the Samaritans. Words by Alice Eaton

WE all know that Christmas can be a stressful time of year. Loneliness, financial pressures and family tensions can make the festive season a difficult period, but for many, it can prove all too overwhelming.

This is when the Samaritans step in. Whether it is by phone, email, letter or in person, this confidential service offers 24-hour emotional support, 365 days of the year and, at a time when many other services are suspended, the Samaritans is still open all hours for anyone in distress.

"There is a definite increase of calls around Christmas and the New Year," says Frank Auton, who is director of The Samaritans of the Chilterns branch.

"The holiday season can accentuate feelings of loneliness or depression for some people while they may be spending time with family or friends. How much better for these feelings to have an outlet by making a call to the Samaritans."

Frank has been a volunteer for more than 20 years and wholeheartedly recommends it to anyone who might be thinking of joining.

"I got to a time in my life when I found I had a bit more time and wanted to get involved in some charity," says Frank.

"I saw an advertisement in the local paper for the Samaritans and thought that it might be something I could get a lot of out of and I haven't looked back since."

To enroll as a Samaritan, volunteers are invited along to an open evening where they will learn how it all works. If you are still interested, you will be given a one-to-one interview to access if you are suitable for the job. This is followed by a three month course held as two or three evening or weekly sessions every week and a three month probationary period before you are allowed to man the phones on your own.

Typically, once you are trained you will be asked to do a shift of three to four hours a week with one overnight session once a month, although this varies between branches.

"The training shows you how to deal with people in great distress and you actually learn skills that can be used in your everyday life too," explains Frank.

"There is an excellent support network. You never work on your own and, after a shift, you always talk through the session with the team leader to ensure that you don't take the work home with you.

"At its peak, some of the calls can be extremely difficult and quite challenging and when you come on duty, you never know what's going to happen. There is a huge spectrum of reasons for people to call in but the majority are over relationship problems. There is often a strong element of loneliness, whether someone is actually alone or they have a problem that they feel they cannot tell friends or family. We are there so that they can share these troubles."

As well as the telephone, the Samaritans can be contacted by email, letter or face-to-face at a branch. Every Samaritan works on a completely voluntary basis.

"You do get a lot out of volunteering or you wouldn't keep doing it," says Frank.

"It is very rewarding when you know that you have been there for someone at a time when there was no-where else they could turn to."

For more information on the Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.org.

If you need to contact the Samaritans, call 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or drop into your local branch.

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