Bangor Samaritans are recruiting new volunteers this New Year, giving you the opportunity to learn new skills, improve your CV & make new friends, and most importantly be there for people who are struggling to cope.

The Bangor Samaritans branch, which is based in Parc Menai, is on the look-out for new volunteers to help run the incredible Samaritans service.

Samaritans is a volunteer led organisation. Samaritans branches across Wales manage the emotional support service, reach out into their local communities and support those who are struggling to cope round the clock, every day of the year.

The demand for the service is ever increasing – last year, Samaritans in Wales took a call every three minutes. Across the whole organisation, Samaritans responds to more than 5.7 million calls for help every year. None of this would be possible without the time and dedication of volunteers.

The recruitment drive will be popping up across Bangor throughout January, from your nearest Kwik Fit to your local bus stop. Bangor Samaritans are hoping to increase awareness of the local branch and inspire people to do something new this January. They are also hoping to recruit new Welsh-speaking volunteers to help run the Welsh language helpline.

You can make an amazing difference at the Samaritans helping to support people when they need someone to talk to or they are going through a difficult time in their life. The Samaritans welcome and value every volunteer, from all walks of life.

Whatever your interests, experience or skills, The Samaritans have a role for you, and will train, mentor and support you in whatever role you choose to do.

However, you don’t have to be a listening volunteer and you can support The Samaritans in many other ways which can include marketing, fundraising, outreach or a variety of administrative roles.

What’s involved?

There are different ways you can support Samaritans as a volunteer.

The Samaritans are known for the support offered to callers on the phone but The Samaritans also offer support by email, SMS, face to face and through written correspondence. Helping the Samaritans in this way is known as a listening volunteer.

Depending on the role you are interested in you will go through different steps to becoming a volunteer with Samaritans but there are some stages that every volunteer must go through:

Every volunteer must:

  • Go to an information session
  • Have an interview
  • Provide references
  • Attend the induction session of our training

Listening volunteers must also:

  • Attend selection
  • Go through our training
  • Have a mentor
  • Complete a probation period

For more information phone: 02922 406305

Email: volunteering.wales@samaritans.org