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What Samaritans do at festival events, and how you can get involved.

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Samaritans tent

Thousands of people have the time of their life at festivals each year but for the unfortunate few it can be a miserable time. We find out what Samaritans are doing to help and how you can get involved in their voluntary work at festivals.

What is it?

Samaritans has a special 'Festivals Branch' that works independently from the rest of the organisation and rocks up to heaps of festivals throughout the year. Teams of volunteers offer the same kind of emotional support, but they do it face to face in special Samaritans areas that operate around the clock.

How does it work? 

At each festival there's usually a team of 10 - 25 people, depending on the size of the event. They have two sites at Glastonbury, so there will be more volunteers there for five or six days. Volunteers have their own living, work, eating, and sleeping areas. It's shift work, and although it's possible to change shifts sometimes, it's not guaranteed that you can take time off to see your favourite band. If there's something you really can't bear to miss, it's better to go as a paying punter instead.

There is always a male and female volunteer on duty at all times, because some festival-goers feel more comfortable talking specifically to a male or a female about their problems. People rarely come into the Samaritans area and just ask for help. Volunteers are expected to be proactive and say hello to everyone who walks past, asking them how they are doing, and inviting them in.

Even if someone doesn't want help, volunteers are encouraged to meet them anyway, to break down misconceptions about who the Samaritans are and what they do. Samaritans still have to deal with the common 'twinset-and-pearls' stereotype, when this could not be further than the truth in real life.

Want to join in?

Visit the Samaritans Festival site for more information, or contact festivals@samaritans.org.uk. Anyone from the UK can apply and all travel expenses are covered.

There is a selection process, which includes filling in an application form. You will need to provide a reference and attend a selection weekend, which is usually in March.