PLAYING their part in supporting Samaritans in Wales’ Spring campaign to recruit new volunteers Powys Samaritans in Llandrindod Wells recently spent a whole day, from the first to the last train at their local station on the Heart of Wales Line.
Wearing distinctive green tabards and armed with Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith, as well as leaflets, the volunteers talked to travellers and railway staff abut the importance of the Samaritans’ listening service and the need to recruit new volunteers for the nine branches across Wales. One member of the team spread the message farther afield by taking the early train to Shrewsbury.
The Powys Samaritans made contact with more than 100 travellers and were delighted with the positive responses, including discussions about what the volunteers actually do when responding to callers, several offers to take the Samaritans’ message to their workplaces and an appreciation of how rewarding it can be to make a difference for those with worries and troubles they wish to talk about.
All the Samaritans branches across Wales are on the lookout for volunteers to cover a variety of roles both listening to callers and helping with the range of support roles like publicity, helping in the busy shop, fundraising and administration.
The Powys Samaritans are just starting their Spring training programme for a new group of volunteers and would be interested to hear from anyone interested in joining the Llandrindod branch at 2 High Street. For more details phone 01597 822911 or email powys [email protected].