anyone qualified ?

[crete]

is there anyone on the site today who is a trained samaritan counsellor, know an odd question be patient.

[missjef]

im hoping to be one in sept after i do my traning.

[crete]

how long does the training take ?

[missjef]

well you have to fill in an application form first, then you get an interview which is just a little chat and a chance to ask questions, then you will start the training which i think is a few weekends, and they decide whether you are suitable or not. i think they onyl have 2 intakes a year, one in feb time & one in sept.

[crete]

did you require any qualifications to apply for the post ?

[naz_nomad]

not looking to 'jump' are you crete?

[crete]

what do you mean by jump ?

[laurence2]

What sort of training do you exactly require then to be a Samaritan Counsellor?

Patience and advice i reckon, digest these two words then your trained up

[missjef]

no, none whatsoever - well they say you need to be able to listen, but thats about it really.

[laurence2]

i reckon samaritans are a total waste of time.

They should send everyone with problems to the body & soul section on AB, one way or another us lot will sort out their problems lol

[naz_nomad]

crete, I could just picture you teetering on the ledge of a skyscraper, trying to reach a Samaritan on your wireless connection...

[andy-hughes]

Hi. I am 'inactive' and have been for a number of years, but yes, I am a trained Samaritan, with three years' experience as a counsellor - if i can asist, ask away.

[naz_nomad]

laurence ... what's that called ... the AB kill or cure option ...lol

[laurence2]

naz, the Former.

[crete]

the usual mature response.

[luckyeight]

I'm fairly sure that one of the conditions of being a Samaritan is that you must keep your role as a Samaritan confidential... I could be wrong, but I'm sure that's the case?
May try to investigate this and will post back.

[luckyeight]

Went to http://www.samaritans.org but found no info on this. Congrats on wanting to volunteer to be a Samaritan.

[andy-hughes]

Yes, they do like you to keep your status secret - people talk to other people, and it can inhibit someone from calling / visiting in case they bump into you.

I did actually counsel someone I know quite well through marriage problems, he didn't recognise my voice on the phone. Had he done so, I would have offered to pass him on to another volunteer, or carry on talking on the basis of strict confidentiality - his choice, but that didn't arise.

[crete]

genuine abswerers thanks very much

[joby1]

andy-hughes I would love to talk to you. Jo

[jipsquithesq]

Andy Hughes.

Did you not have to disclose to this friend that you knew him before he divulged personal information to you, surely he was thinking you were a stranger?

Did you tell him later?