Just Home

[maggiebee]

Very busy 6 hours at Samaritans tonight. Just hope I helped a little.

[jeffa]

You have my undying respect. I could not do your job for all the money in the world...

[BlueToffee]

I'm sure you did.

I did a 6 year stint some time ago and found it very rewarding and harrowing.

Keep up the good work maggiebee.

[FredPuli43]

I admire you maggiebee. I could never do it. My brand of tough speaking would have them all rushing to do the deed, like the Gadarene swine.

My old headmaster worked with the Samaritans. I always said that hearing his voice again would make me suicidal, whatever I was like before, but it could be that he was very comforting to those in mental turmoil.

[janbee]

A friend of mine works for the Samaritans in Edinburgh and has done so for many years. It's quite a harrowing task at times but he hopes he's helped a great number of people. I'm sure he has and maggie, I'm sure you have too. It's well worth doing. Well done to you. It's not something I think I could do so it's good to know that there are people like you, willing to help so many people. Well done again. xx

[CokeTulip]

I think you do wonderful work and there isn't anything else - I think you always help Maggiebee. Not everyone can do it.

[cupid04]

Keep up the good work. They helped me once in my youth and I shall always remember there kindness and patience.

[pixie373]

I'm sure you did, Maggie. Out of interest, how do you apply and get trained? Do they teach you counselling where you mainly listen and let them come to their own decisions? Or do you have to offer answers and practical advice?

[Zacs-Master]

Pixie,
http://www.samaritans.org/volunteer-us

[jd_1984]

I take my hat off to you maggiebee.

[murraymints]

You are not actually supposed to ever mention any work you do with the Sam's....

[DTCwordfan]

I admire you for it, but I think that minty is right.....even though you can lie behind the anonymity of AB - allowing for hacking geniuses like the one that bust up several folk.....

[pixie373]

Thank you, zacs x

I know the Samaritans is anonymous, i was surprised Maggie knew her friend was doing it, but AB is anonymous.

[LochNessMonster]

Yer a gid lassie Maggiebee.

Love Nessie xxxx

[BlueToffee]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but maggiebee didn't actually mention any work she had been doing with the Samaritans, just that she'd finished a 6 hour shift.

Perhaps she'd had a very fraught night and just wanted to unburden herself in some way, always assuming with a name like maggiebee that she is a she and not a he.

[maggiebee]

At one time, many moons ago, we would not broadcast that we were Samaritans. However, times have changed and we are encouraged to shout it from the rooftops. I AM A SAMARITAN. We do outreach in supermarkets, community centres etc so we have a very high profile and don't hide behind anonymity. Total confidentiality with callers is our watchwords and I would never, ever discuss a call with anyone but a fellow Sam. That's the strength of the organisation - callers can be assured of total confidentiality.
Samaritans are not counsellors, we are trained to listen and help callers explore their feelings and options. We never give advice as that would be taking the decision away from the caller. We may signpost to another organisation if we feel practical advice on eg debt is required.
My, that sounds like an advertisement for Samaritans and I hope you will all be rushing to join one of the 201 branches in the UK and RI.

[pixie373]

That's why i was asking, Maggie and exactly what i wanted to know. Thanks x