I am Sam, a Sam I am.
Sam joined the Samaritans (known also as the “Sams”) in Wellington a year ago, completing his training over five
Saturdays to become a part of a group of caring people that volunteer their time to offer a confidential, non-judgmental
listening service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He saw becoming a Sam as a “good opportunity to get back into a role where I was helping people”. Initially it was
daunting. “One of the biggest nervous things was getting on the phones for the first time”. But the past year has given
him the opportunity to “…offer a lot of support and a lot of help.” Now, he finds the two hour shift a week he
volunteers for is easy to fit into his lifestyle, but the required, but very important, monthly overnight shift “…always
a bit more challenging.” It is during these late and overnight shifts that Samaritans receive the majority of the
approximately 20,000 calls they field in a year.
“People phone Samaritans because they don’t know where else to go, or they have no one else to talk to. We’re not here
to judge them, we’re just here to listen.” One thing that Samaritans do not do is give advice. However, as Sam says,
“through talking through their situation, they (callers) are a bit more open to their different options.”
Sam enjoys working with his fellow Sams, who are all ages, from all walks of life. “It’s a diverse crowd, a good mix of
people. But you find they’re all warm, caring and interested in other people.” Like him, he finds that they all
genuinely want to help people. “It’s fantastic to think that you can just be there and support people, and make that
difference in their lives.”
To keep supporting Sam and the other Sams volunteers to continue listening and caring 24/7, the Samaritans of Wellington
is holding its annual street appeal on Friday August 24 and Saturday August 25. Collectors will be out and about in the
central city, suburbs and ASB wellington branches, raising vital funds to help keep the service operating. If you miss
the street collectors, donations can be made online at www.samaritans.org.nz. If you just need someone to listen, call Samaritans on 04 473 9739.
Watch the interview with Sam at http://youtu.be/f-NSB6WZ28o. Collection points for the annual appeal can be found on this map: (http://goo.gl/maps/345OI). For further details on the Samaritans of Wellington Annual Appeal 2012, visit www.samaritans.org.nz.
ENDS