A qualitative study exploring the experience and motivations of UK Samaritan volunteers: “Why do we do it?”
Article
Smith, Lucy, Callaghan, Jane E. M. and Fellin, L. 2018. A qualitative study exploring the experience and motivations of UK Samaritan volunteers: “Why do we do it?”. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling. 48 (6), pp. 844-854. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1546378
Authors | Smith, Lucy, Callaghan, Jane E. M. and Fellin, L. |
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Abstract | Telephone helplines offer a valued service for those in distress. However, little research has explored the experience of helpline volunteers. Through semi-structured interviews, in this article we explore the volunteering experiences of nine long-term UK Samaritan volunteers. Interviews were analysed using Interpretive Interactionism. The analysis highlighted that this volunteering impacted participants’ experience of their sense of self. The decision to volunteer was framed as part of a search for personal meaning, tied to experiences of loss and reparation. They reflected positively on their volunteer identity, but highlighted tensions between a sense of vocation and the experience of care burden. The Samaritan Community also offered a sense of belonging and social support. They experienced involvement as personally meaningful, enabling the construction of a positive self-identity. |
Journal | British Journal of Guidance and Counselling |
Journal citation | 48 (6), pp. 844-854 |
ISSN | 0306-9885 |
Year | 2018 |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Anyone |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1546378 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 14 Nov 2018 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 14 Nov 2018 |
Accepted | 07 Nov 2018 |
Accepted | 07 Nov 2018 |
Copyright information | © 2018 Taylor and Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in British Journal of Guidance and Counselling on 14/11/2018 available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/03069885.2018.1546378. |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/845x4
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