This article is from page 33 of the 2008-09-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
THE Clare branch of the Samaritans will hold the first of two information evenings this Thursday (Sepetmber 4) at the Old Ground Hotel.
Members of the Samritans will speak on the night and outline the work and duties carried out by the Service.
Another information evening will be held at the same venue on Monday Sepetmber 8.
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emo-
tional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those, which may lead to suicide.
The organisation is looking for open-minded, non-judgmental peo- ple to get involved with the support Service.
All volounteers receive quality and detailed training before starting. Vol- unteers are shown how to develop the necessary listening skillsrequired. There is a strict code of confidential- ity and callers are given the freedom to talk openly.
90 people currently volunteer with the service in Clare. In previous years, interest has been high and the Samaritans are hoping for another good turnout.
Apart from the telephone the Sa- maritans can also be contacted by text and by email. The text and email services were established with the Samaritans conscience of the fact that different people will use differ- ent methods to contact the service.
A spokesperson for the service ex- plained, “We talk to people about who we are and what we do. We
would be looking for open-minded, non-judgmental people who would be natural listeners who would be prepared to give a commitment. In training we teach people how to de- velop listening skills”
He added, “We would be looking for people who are open-minded and accept other views. We don’t moral- ise or use philosophy or tell people what to do.
‘We are there to listen. Confidenti- ality is hugely important. We recog- nise the fact that people are given the freedom to talk in safety.”