| From a Volunteer's journal...
It's Friday afternoon, my working week is over, but I've got another job to do tonight. I don't get paid for it, but it's very rewarding in other ways.
Tonight I'm on duty with Walsall Samaritans. I've come straight from work, calling in at the shops on the way here to get something for tea, and some biscuits to share with the other volunteers in the centre. My day's been very busy and stressful, but there's a sort of calm about the Samaritans centre that helps you wind down.
I've arrived early, because I want to go through a presentation I'm using next week when we have a public open event about volunteering. Before I joined Samaritans, I couldn't have imagined getting up and speaking in front of people, but I've done it lots of times now.
The volunteers on duty are busy on the phones, but one of them sees me arrive, and comes to say hello a few minutes later when their call has finished. I have a quick look at the notice board and note down the dates of a conference I'd like to attend later in the year.
The shifts have changed over now, and I'm on duty with Sue, my partner for tonight, and Jimmy, a new volunteer who has just completed his training. This is his second 'observation' duty, and he’s just taken his first ever call.
He was nervous about it, but Sue was right next to him throughout it. The person calling was very distressed to start with and found it hard to say much at all for a while, but Jimmy is very calm and patient and gives gentle encouragement, and the caller is eventually able to talk.
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It’s just dawning on Jimmy that he can actually do this for real. He's now ready to take a regular slot on the rota, and I remind him that he'll always have other Samaritans to support him.
The doorbell rings, and I pick up the intercom. A woman asks if she can come in and talk to someone. In the interview room, she tells me her name is Sylvia and says she's had a lot on her mind recently. She often passes the centre and rang the doorbell on impulse.
She's unsure how to begin, but I manage to put her at ease, and the problems start tumbling out. Sue comes in to see if we want a cup of tea – our visitor seems quite touched to be asked, and I think it helps her relax.
A while later and I'm back with the other volunteers. Sylvia went away saying she felt very relieved, and more positive about things.
The office phone rings, and it's a volunteer who is organising a fundraising stall, asking if any of us can help out. On this occasion I can't, and I feel genuinely sorry about that, as it's often very enjoyable – you soon make friendships with the people you work with at Samaritans and its good to get out and about with them.
There's often a special moment when a member of the public comes to the stall and tells you Samaritans has played an important part in their life at a time when they were feeling particularly vulnerable.
 We have quite a busy shift, and it seems like no time at all before volunteers are arriving to take over from us. As the night wears on, it will most likely get busier. Here at Samaritans, no two duties are ever the same.
Back to the top Interested in joining our team? Please contact us on our dedicated Volunteer Enquiry number, 07852 770202, or write to us at Samaritans of Walsall & District Bott Lane Walsall WS1 2JQ. You can also send us an email to the address shown on this site's feedback page. We positively welcome enquiries from all sections of the community including Black and Minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities and members of the LGBT community. For news of Information Evenings for people interested in becoming Samaritans volunteers, please see our Special events page. If you would like to hear volunteers from around the country talking about Samaritans, please go to the national Samaritans website. If you think being a Samaritans Listening Volunteer isn't for you, but would like to support us in other ways, please visit our 'Help us' page. Back to the top | Back to Our Volunteering Page | 
