Who are Samaritan volunteers ?  Samaritans are ordinary people.  You have probably travelled with a Samaritan on the bus or waited next to one in the supermarket. You may even work with someone who is a Samaritan.  What makes Samaritans special is their discretion, reliability, open-mindedness and patience.  They can make the commitment to spend some of their time each week supporting those who are enduring a personal crisis.

Could you be a Samaritan ?
Try this simple test.

• Lisa is 14 and pregnant. Should she agree to have an abortion?

• Eric is 26 and HIV-positive. Should he tell his family?

• Lily is 43. Her husband has a girl friend in China. Should she leave him?

• Albert is 68, and in constant pain from cancer. Would it be right for him to take an overdose?

If you answered yes to these questions, then Samaritan work might not be for you. If you answered no .... then Samaritan work still might not be for you.

But if you can listen to people tell their stories without making judgements then you have at least one of the qualities that we are looking for in a Samaritan Volunteer.

Of course, real life isn't that simple and our little 'test', whilst it demonstrates one aspect of our philosophy is not sufficient to answer the question "Could you be a Samaritan ?". 

Please review the material on our web site and on the national Samaritans web site and if you think you could be a Samaritan volunteer you can find out more by attending one of our information evenings. 

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