Samaritans' plea for more volunteers
SHEFFIELD Samaritans are appealing for volunteers to help deal with an increasing number of calls in the bleak economic climate.
Financial difficulties are prompting more people to turn in desperation to the charity.
But as the demand for a listening ear goes up, numbers of volunteers are going down.
Between 80 and 90 volunteers handle about 30,000 calls in Sheffield but some shifts are having to be dropped because there is not always the requisite two people for the shift.
"Samaritans overall are facing more calls, certainly more financial calls because of the recession," said a spokeswoman for the local branch.
"We know from these calls that people are facing financial difficulties – people whose businesses are failing, people becoming unemployed. People ringing are desperate. Their world has collapsed."
The Samaritans are also listening to more relationship problems as a result of financial difficulties and while the worst of the credit crunch may be over, that hasn't been reflected yet in the volume of calls.
Numbers of volunteers in Sheffield have decreased steadily over the past five years.
"Perhaps people aren't taking so much interest in volunteering," said the spokeswoman. "Perhaps people are are looking to volunteer for shorter times.
"We are looking for people who are able to listen and commit to at least three hours a week."
In particular, volunteers are needed at the busiest time, between 10pm and 2am. Training, support and expenses are offered. "Everyone has it in them to be a Samaritan."
Contact recruitment.sheffieldsamaritans@yahoo.co.uk or 07980 526507.
The Samaritans offer confidential emotional support through calling 276 7277/0845 790 9090 or emailing jo@samaritans.org or dropping in at 272 Queens Road between 10am and 10pm.
lSheffield Samaritans held an art competition at the Community Enterprise Development Unit in Mowbray Street on Tuesday. Half the proceeds went to the Samaritans and half to the artists.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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