Training to be a Samaritan at Brecon and Radnor Samaritans

Although Samaritans do not regard themselves a ‘professionals’ in terms of having a certificate or any other recognized document of qualification, we do approach the work we do in a ‘professional’ manner; and much of the support for this comes from our training.

After recruitment and once a volunteer had been selected for training, s/he embarks on a course of preparation.   This normally covers a period of 6-7 weeks.  Since January 2005, every Samaritan branch in the country has been following a new and updated programme called Samaritan Initial Training (SIT).  The Samaritans commissioned an expert team of trainers to design this new programme and it does make use of an interesting mixture of differing learning and teaching approaches.  Brecon and Radnor Samaritans were one of only a few branches chosen to trial the package and give feedback to the designers.

The SIT programme has the virtue of standardising the initial training which any new volunteer receives, whatever part of the country they may be in, although of course we do adapt the programme slightly to reflect the nature of our particular branch at Llandrindod Wells.

SIT covers, as much as possible all areas which are likely to be encountered whilst taking telephone calls, receiving visitors and responding to emails and texts.  Many of these areas are very sensitive such as bereavement, abuse, domestic violence, depression and the discussion of suicidal feelings.  During the training we discuss the central principles and policies guiding our work as Samaritans; we attempt in an active and participative sort of way, to consider the major difficulties and problems we may face in attempting to respond to our callers according to those principles and policies.  The training involves new volunteers in telephone role plays to give them insight into how it feels answering the telephone to somebody in distress or despair, and how to support them; thus new volunteers gain confidence before answering the first ‘real’ call.

Taking calls can be a harrowing and draining experience and we also discuss the extensive support backup which is available at the branch for all volunteers themselves.

After SIT, new volunteers spend some shifts in the branch observing what goes on and discussing any matters which concern them, as well as beginning to take a few ‘real’ calls; each new volunteer has a mentor with whom they can talk things over.  After a few weeks, there is also a follow-up meeting for the new volunteers group; amongst other things, this provides an opportunity to review how things have gone.

After SIT, we do not consider training to be all done and dusted.  Samaritans believe that all volunteers need to continue training, partly to update ourselves, partly to revisit some of the difficulties we face as ‘listeners’ (and some of the worthwhile experiences).  Every Samaritan is expected to take part in some small amount of ‘ongoing training’ every year; and there are also opportunities for branch members to attend regional or national training events.  In addition, there is training for specific roles and responsibilities within the Samaritan movement.