My Life as Samaritan Listener Volunteer

It is one of my greatest privileges to volunteer as a Samaritan.

Several nights each month, I sit quietly in a small call centre, wearing a headset, listening to people who are often at the very edge of what they can bear. These are not easy conversations. They are raw, emotional, and profoundly human. Our callers reach out in moments of deep distress—when they are overwhelmed, frightened, isolated, or struggling to find a reason to keep going. Sometimes, it’s the first time they’ve ever said aloud what they’re feeling.

I joined Samaritans after someone close to me died by suicide. That loss changed me. It compelled me to be part of something that gives people a lifeline in their darkest hours. The Samaritans’ mission—to reduce deaths by suicide and be there for anyone who needs to talk—is not just something I believe in; it’s something I live.

This work has shaped me. It has added depth to who I am—not just as a professional, but as a parent, a friend, and a human being. It reminds me, again and again, of the power of listening without judgement. Of holding space. Of being present.

Answering the phone in the middle of the night might seem like a small act. But for someone on the other end, it can be life-saving. And for me, it is grounding. It is purposeful. It is a quiet form of service that I hold close to my heart.

Samaritans Monday Musings. Volunteering on the Front Line

This is the first in a series of Monday posts where I will share insights from my volunteering with Samaritans. To be absolutely clear, calls to Samaritans are absolutely confidential. Nothing in my Monday Musings will endanger this,

It is one of my greatest privileges to be a Samaritan. Several nights each month, I sit in a small call centre with a headset on, listening to people who are often at the very end of their tether. These are not easy conversations. They are raw, emotional, and deeply human. Our callers reach out in their darkest hours, when they feel overwhelmed, frightened, isolated, or unable to cope.

Their calls are taken from ordinary people, who will listen to them through the night, without judgement. Everything you say to us is completely confidential we don’t know who you are, where you are, we don’t record your telephone numbe,r even notes we take during our calls are shredded at the end of our shift.

First, a little background ..

Samaritans was founded in 1953 by Reverend Chad Varah as a lifeline for people who were thinking about ending their lives. Our mission remains unchanged today:
To reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the UK.

We provide a completely non-judgemental service.
We do not advise.
We do not direct.
We do not tell people what they should do.

We listen.

That is why we are called Listeners.

If someone is intent on ending their life, we will not try to stop them. We will stay with them. We will help them explore their thoughts. We will care for them. We will ensure that, in that moment, they are not alone.

Not everyone who calls is suicidal.

In my night shifts I speak to people dealing with:

• Loneliness and isolation
• Relationship breakdowns
• Financial stress
• Grief and bereavement
• Disability and chronic pain
• Anxiety, fear and uncertainty

And so much more.. People from every background, every age group, every walk of life.

Christmas has just passed, and it is one of our busiest periods. Unsurprisingly, the number one issue callers raise is loneliness. At Christmas, more of the callers than usual are older and left alone for all or some of that time. They rarely judge, they simply need a friendly ear to help them cope with being alone at a time when we most commonly celebrate being together.

People talk about:

• Feeling forgotten
• Feeling invisible
• Losing partners they have spent decades with
• Spending days without speaking to another human being

Sometimes they are angry. Sometimes they are heartbroken. Often, they are simply exhausted.

The first message I want to share from my time as a Samaritan is this:

Do not let the people around you feel lonely and isolated.

Look for the silences.
Listen to what is not being said.
Notice when someone withdraws.
Be present.