Samaritans at matchmaking festival ‘for those in need’

VOLUNTEERS from the Samaritans Festival Branch will be at Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival from September 16-18 to offer emotional support to anyone in need.

The Lisdoonvarna Festival began 160 years ago when visiting gentry came to take the waters at the spa and looked to match their unmarried children with suitable partners.

Now known as the Matchmaking Festival, the event offers music, dancing and daily matchmaking sessions for hopeful singletons.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the festival following a two-year absence because of Covid restrictions, but for some the weekend may be challenging.

Volunteers from Samaritans Festival Branch, who come from all branches in the country, will be available from September 16 to 18, to anyone who wants to talk.

Samaritan Festival Director Tony Leech believes that this year more than ever it is important that people have a chance to talk about their feelings following the difficulties they may have had to cope with during the past two years.

“There is a saying ‘A burden shared is a burden halved’. As Samaritans, we know from experience that it is helpful to talk and to share feelings.

“We are trained to listen. We do not advise. We do not offer solutions. We give people time and space to talk, to express their feelings, and we help them to explore options in dealing with any issues facing them,” he said.

“Events like the Lisdoonvarna Festival are designed to be enjoyable occasions. However, for some people it can be lonely and isolating to be in a festival atmosphere where they may be overwhelmed by feelings of loss and despair because of what may be happening or has happened in their lives.

“We know that many people tend to bottle up their emotions, fearing they may be judged, be thought different or weak, be misunderstood or be ostracised.

“By being present at Lisdoonvarna we want to give the message to anyone suffering feelings of despair that we are there to listen and to provide face to face support in a non-judgemental way.”

Samaritans presence at the festival will complement its regular service. Anyone who is struggling can call its number 116123 for free to discuss any  issues – you don’t need to be suicidal to make contact.

There is a volunteer at the end of the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year ready to listen to whatever is troubling a caller.