Who they help
People who need to speak to someone about their problems. Common reasons people contact Samaritans are:
- relationship and family problems
- loss, including loss of a friend or a family member through bereavement
- financial worries
- job-related stress
- college or study-related stress
- loneliness and isolation
- depression
- painful and/or disabling physical illness
- heavy use of or dependency on alcohol or other drugs
- thoughts of suicide
Type of help provided
Samaritans can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.
They listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles. They will focus on your thoughts and feelings rather than going into the details, so they may ask questions to help explore how you feel.
There is also support available in the Welsh language, as well as for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
How help is provided and by whom
Help is provided by trained volunteers via phone, email, text, post or face to face. Volunteers who respond directly when you get in touch are called listening volunteers.
All Samaritans volunteers
- Go to an information session
- Have an interview
- Provide references
- Attend the induction session of training
Listening volunteers must also:
- Attend selection
- Go through training
- Have a mentor
- Complete a probation period
Times that help is provided
24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone. They aim to respond to emails within 24 hours. For face to face contact at a Samaritans branch, opening hours will depend on the branch.
Geographical coverage
UK and Ireland
Fee
No fee
Contact details
Email: [email protected]
Phone (UK): 116 123
Phone (ROI): 116 123
Phone (Welsh language): 0808 164 0123 (7pm-11pm, 7 days a week)
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK,
PO Box 9090,
STIRLING,
FK8 2SA