Could You Become a Volunteer?

Samaritans Appeal

LAST vear in Scotland, in excess of 140,000 phone calls were made to Samaritans. The Aberdeen branch received 11,000 calls. Persons who were in imminent danger of suicide made some 1,200 of these. Sadly the number of suicide calls, particularly from young men, is increasing sharply in NE Scotland.

The primary aim of Samaritans is to be available at any hour of the day or night to befriend those passing through personal crises and in imminent danger of taking their own lives.

We also seek to alleviate human misery, loneliness, despair and depression by listening to, in a nonjudgemental way, and befriending

those who feel that they have no one else to turn to who would understand or accept them.

Callers do not lose the freedom to make their own decisions, including the decision to take their own lives, and Samaritan volunteers are forbidden to impose their own convictions or to influence callers in regard to politics, philosophy or religion.

In order to maintain the 24/7 service to our clients, the Aberdeen Branch is actively recruiting new members. Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and no particular qualifications are required - but volunteers should be good listeners.

If you feel you could become a volunteer, or you wish to receive more detailed information about Samaritans and volunteering, please contact Patrick Edward by telephone

or letter at this address: Samaritans, 60 Dee Street, Aberdeen AB11 6DS. Telephone number is 01224 574488