Joanna Smith, Estates Officer has worked at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) for 30 years but more recently Joanna achieved a special milestone outside of her fire service career; in her work as a volunteer at Durham Samaritans. Celebrating 20 years’ service, Joanna talks about her Samaritan journey and some of her personal highlights.
Joanna started her Samaritan journey 20 years ago, volunteering herself in 2002 following her own struggles with mental health. Joanna said, “I went through a bit of a tough time myself and I had really good support from family and friends, support that I’d have been absolutely lost without. This made me think about those experiencing their own life challenges, who may not have any support and how I could help them.
So, along I went to Durham Samaritans, knocked on the door and asked if they needed any help and I haven’t looked back since”.
Each year Joanna commits 168 hours of her own time; day and night, to help those who may be struggling and need emotional support, in her own words she said, “Being a Samaritan is not about giving people advice or direction, it is simply about listening.
Over the years I have spoken to so many people who have just needed someone to talk to and I’d like to think I have made a difference to many people’s lives, just by being there”.
In addition to the hours Joanna gives answering the Samaritans helpline, she also spoke passionately about her involvement with HMP Durham and Low Newton and the Samaritan Listener Scheme. Something she has been involved in for the past 12 years, saying “The Listener Scheme provides people in prison with the same training every Samaritans volunteer receives, providing them with the tools and knowledge to offer a listening ear and emotional support to their fellow prisoners.
My role is to select suitable candidates within the prison and support them at fortnightly meetings with their new role as a listener. I have seen people in prison really turn a corner with this scheme and continue to do so even after leaving prison, which is an amazing feeling”.
It was Joanna’s work within the prisons which saw her nominated and presented with an MBE from HRH The Prince of Wales, in May 2017. Joanna described her experience that day as “A fantastic, amazing experience, one I shall never forget, and I am so honoured and proud to have received an MBE for the work that we do at Samaritans.”
When asked to try and sum up her years with the Samaritans Joanna said, “The work that we do is so simple, it’s just about being the voice at the other end of the phone, that listens and we do make a difference, helping others in their moment of need is unbelievably rewarding”.
Steve Helps, Chief Fire Officer at CDDFRS said “I would like to congratulate Joanna on achieving 20 years’ service as a Samaritans listening volunteer. I am personally humbled to know the level of dedication amongst those who work for CDDFRS and as a service we are unbelievably proud of Joanna and the commitment she has given to such a fantastic cause.”
Don Stronach, Durham Samaritans Branch Director, said: “I’m delighted that Joanna’s extraordinary dedication to Samaritans is being recognised. Joanna is an invaluable part of Durham Samaritans – she’s extremely friendly, readily supports fellow volunteers and has a wealth of knowledge that we all lean on. Congratulations Joanna!”
For more information about what Samaritans do or how you can become a Samaritan volunteer, visit their website www.samaritans.org
