Listening volunteers

Birmingham Samaritans is staffed solely by 190 or so volunteers from the local community who mirror the population of the city, with a diversity of backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. Unlike most organisations, we aim to have shifts open all day, every day and in the last six months alone, have supported over 12,000 callers. Listening volunteers are there for anyone who needs someone and can change the course of someone’s life.

After making an enquiry to be a listening volunteer, you’ll have an interview as part of our selection process, and if you’re selected, you’ll attend our in-depth high-quality training to prepare you for the role. Training takes place over six group sessions, along with some individual telephone or email training, and usually takes place during weekday evenings or at weekends. Towards the end of the training, you’ll be given a mentor – an experienced volunteer who will be with you during your first few shifts. They’ll give you feedback and support, answer your questions, and help develop your confidence.

It can take a few months from when you make your first enquiry, but we value everyone who is interested in volunteering with us.

To make an enquiry, please go to the Samaritans website and search for volunteering.