A comprehensive study of Samaritan volunteers from 30 centres located throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, & Wales. The author provides characteristics of the sample, their stated reasons for serving as a Samaritan, decision-making in client selection, criteria involved in deciding on suitability for befriending, results of volunteers’ work & doubts experienced by volunteers. The author believes the Samaritans are correct in stating that success is attributable to a lack of professionalism.