IN 38 years as a Samaritan Judith Houghton has come across every conceivable problem and has somehow managed to suppress the overpowering human instinct to judge others.

It’s not an easy task listening to harrowing tales of addiction, abuse and financial ruin without apportioning blame, but Judith just listens intently without questioning motive or intent.

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And that in itself is a talent. How many of us listen without really hearing – glance around the room as a friend tells us a tale of misery, throwing in the odd comment as evidence that we care. But actually concentrating on what someone tells us requires commitment, dedication, time and ultimately, a piece of ourselves.

That intrinsic quality has put Judith – “I’m in my 60s” - in the hot seat as Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Samaritans’ new director. But, unlike most promotions, she was nominated by her fellow volunteers to lead the team of 78.

Last year the branch dealt with 26,000 calls, which gives an indication of the enormity of suffering out there in East Lancashire and the need for such a valuable service.

“I’ve dealt with many many problems over those 38 years and I couldn’t have done it without the support the Samaritans offer to its own workers,” says Judith.

“Yes, of course I worry about people when they’ve put down the phone, but I have to leave it here. I can’t discuss it elsewhere because it’s confidential. The training prepares you for every eventuality and the support we give to each other is amazing. I’ve made some wonderful friendships, which all helps to keep me here.”

The training takes six months, teaching volunteers not to judge, how to cope with what they may hear in calls, to be supportive and maintain confidentiality.

Over Judith’s 38 years, the problems have been largely the same – relationship, addiction, stress, and loneliness problems. But these days, following the recession, there are a lot more financial worries to throw into the catastrophic mix which dogs some people’s lives.

“People are more worried generally,” says Judith.

But what help can be given to, say, a hard-up single mum who is facing eviction?

“We can’t advise people of what they should do. There are other agencies for that and sometimes we signpost people to those agencies,” says Judith. “But very often they ring the Samaritans for emotional support. There is nobody to talk to in the middle of the night – our busiest time – and we can help them explore the options and help them to make their own decisions.

“People often give their name but they don’t have to and they can talk for an hour or more at times. Many people are really quite alone and have no-one to talk to about their problems. We’re fulfilling a need.”

Judith likes to think that her training as a Samaritan has had a positive effect on her own relationships. “People say when they’re going through the training that they always thought they listened, as opposed to just hearing what someone is saying. It definitely makes you more tolerant and less judgmental.

“It doesn’t mean to say that you don’t have an opinion. What a person does is not necessarily what I would do, but often they don’t have options. I haven’t lived that person’s life, so what would be right for me wouldn’t necessarily be right for them, so they need to come to their own conclusions. If we can allow people to share their emotions we can help them get to that decision.”

It is the Samaritans’ vision that fewer people should die by suicide and Judith has taken calls – thankfully few - when a person is about to take a cocktail of pills or end their life by other means.

“It is rare. We hope that we would be able to find a way to get them through the night and the next day and encourage them to call again or make a follow up call with their permission. Samaritans are there when all their friends are asleep and their thoughts are turning over in their heads and they need to verbalise those thoughts.

“Talking is such a powerful medium. We lead such busy lives with family, friends and jobs which leaves us with very little time to listen and recognise when someone is heading downwards. All we do is encourage people to call us before they get to the point where they want to end their lives. Everybody’s life takes unexpected turns and we never know what is going to happen to us and we could all be in a position of needing the help of the Samaritans at some time.”

All ages call the branch from old people who are lonely because they have lost their partners, have no visitors and their families have moved away, to children and teenagers concerned about problems at home and school.

“There’s usually a rise in calls around exam time.” Most young people contact the Samaritans via text and the centre received 2,500 texts and 2,000 emails in the last year.

With 38 years experience as a volunteer, Judith, has also taken on the responsibility of Regional Representative for the North West and most recently has been the National Functional Lead for Volunteering.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Samaritans support people by phone, email, letter and face to face at the organisation’s branch at New Park Street, Blackburn, which has been helping local people since 1968. The branch also supports a Listener Scheme within Garth Prison at Leyland and is involved in an outreach capacity with a number of schools and local community groups.

“We need more volunteers,” says Judith. “We are looking for people who are accepting, non-judgmental, who can keep a confidence. All they need to do is listen and allow people the time and space to express their feelings. We take people through a process and it works. This is a safe place and we are ordinary people who want to support others. We are here every single day of the year around the clock and no-one needs to suffer alone.”

Anyone going through a tough time can contact the Samaritans for confidential support on 01254 662424 email jo@samaritans.org or face-to-face at 105 New Park St, Blackburn, BB2 1DF.