COULD you save a person’s life? It’s one of the noblest human achievements but if you volunteer as a Samaritan it’s something that could potentially happen every time you pick up the phone or answer a text.

Now Bournemouth Samaritans are looking for more volunteers so they can extend their confidential 24-hour listening service to seven days a week – up from the four they already cover.

Director Keith Baldock said: “We’ve got enough volunteers to do the day but they can’t do the nights, either they are working or elderly, and don’t want to come out in the evenings.”

Bournemouth Samaritans need at least ten more volunteers to cover nights. “We ask they do whatever they can but if everyone could do one shift a week that would be fantastic, although a minimum of two a month is fine,” he said.

Volunteers work in pairs and may have to answer texts or emails as well as calls - nationally The Samaritans receive 5 million contacts a year.

Volunteers range in age from 18-84 and are trained and checked by The Samaritans. If you’d like to volunteer or would like to know more about what it's like to be a Samaritan, Bournemouth Samaritans are holding an open day on Tuesday February 6 at 7pm at their Centre at 1 Durrant Road, Bournemouth. For more details contact 01202 558 090 or email recruitment.bournemouth@gmail.com.

*To access The Samaritans' free listening service call 116 123