Real rewards from volunteering
I have always wanted to volunteer. If money was not necessary, I’d like to think I would devote myself to volunteering. One of my university friends asked if I was nervous about volunteering with Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention for the night.
I wasn’t. On the contrary, I was looking forward to it. She remarked that it was a strange comment to make but I was excited to meet the people who give up their evening and night to help those in distress. I wanted to help if I could.
Of course, I fully understood the need to patrol the river. I expected I might see people at their worst state. The River Shannon has always been a beautiful walking location for me but, from 7pm until the early hours of the morning, I knew it could be quite different.
I arrived to their base in the city and met the patrol team leader. He was 22 and studying to be a paramedic. As the evening went on, I learned that he was deeply passionate about mental health. The group have 40 volunteers and never have any problem getting people to patrol the river.
I gear up in a buoyancy aid with a personal floatation device attached. I am given a waterproof reflective LTSP jacket, which by the looks of the night I will need. New volunteers initially just watch and learn, so I wouldn’t be required to intervene with anybody tonight.
There are first responders who intervene to talk to any person that appears in distress. They can contact the emergency services, family members or in some cases drop people to their homes. The group tell me of another volunteer who had to intervene with an unconscious lady who overdosed on heroin during his first night. The seriousness and the reality of what the group does hit me.
We set out walking into the evening. The group greet every passerby we meet - friendliness and a way of checking in, I am told. The more I listen to the volunteers, the more I am in awe of the work they do. The group of four walks two abreast. I get chatting to one of the volunteers. He has just returned from biking, swimming and running across South Africa.
He went on an expedition where participants must complete a number of kilometres in so many days. He explained how they were competing against other groups, rationing food and water among them, sleeping rough and carrying each other’s supplies when a group member got tired. It was a challenge of individual fitness and team work, each member had to cross the finish line.
The most fascinating part of his experience for both him and I was his memory of the kindness he experienced while there. One night, they were taken into a family’s home. They were told to take whatever they wanted out of the cupboards. The family welcomed them to shower and sleep for as long as they needed.
They stayed for one night but he is still revelling in their kindness. The family would never see the group again, they had nothing to gain from accommodating them, yet they did. I loved hearing about his experience. I knew I would meet amazing people with even better stories to tell.
As we walked, a man came up to us with a picture of a girl on his phone. She is dressed to go out, hair, make-up and everything done to the last. He tells us she tried to complete suicide earlier in the day and asks us to keep an eye out. I look at the girl and my heart breaks, she looks so happy and carefree. I am told that this happens quite a bit, that people also send pictures to their social media channels. We take a break at around 10:30pm, when I am introduced to one of the founding members of the group. We speak for around half an hour, the stories he tells shake me to the core.
At this time of year, his main concern is post-Christmas depression and January when bills start to come in. He takes great pride in the volunteers who will be there in all weather conditions and at all times of year to help people.
We continue until midnight. The group don’t define a finishing time. They stay out for as long as needed. During the night, we walk a total of 11km. We did not have to make any interventions, which they all agree is a successful night.
I love the work the group do and I adored being with such inspirational people for the night.
Although home now for the Christmas holidays, I hope to volunteer with the group as much as I can next semester. The experience is also a reminder that, as people, we need to look out for each other, especially over the Christmas holidays, which can be a difficult time for many.
* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY: