As the charity marks its 70th anniversary, Liz O’Rourke finds out more about its vital work
Seventy years ago this week, London vicar Chad Varah answered the first call to his new helpline for people considering suicide.
Not everyone had access to a phone in those days so along with some volunteers, he set up an office for personal visits, too.
However, those people waiting to see him often found that sharing their concerns with the volunteers was enough.
He realised that the core of the service was these volunteers who could listen, confidentially and without judgement.
Just three months later, Samaritans as they are recognised today was born.
Nowadays there are over 200 branches across the UK and Ireland. An amazing 22,000 volunteers support the charity in many ways, with a call being answered every 10 seconds and lines manned 24 hours.
Phone lines are not the only way to contact Samaritans. Though phone is the most popular, Samaritans can also be contacted by email, letter, in person or in community outreach and there is a new online chat being piloted.
Within our prisons, there are Samaritan-trained prisoners known as “Listeners” supporting their peers and providing a confidential service.
Knowing that the service is completely private often gives people in prison the courage to ask for help and talk about what is bothering them.
That sums up what Samaritans is all about – giving callers a safe place to explore their feelings and share their fears.
You do not have to be suicidal to reach out to Samaritans. Being in despair, suffering bereavement, feeling isolated, worrying about your mental health – anyone having a difficult time can phone.
Volunteer Mary explains, “We are here to listen to callers and help them to work through what is troubling them. There is no judgment, no pressure and we never tell you what to do.
“Sometimes all a caller needs is the opportunity to talk about how they are feeling with someone who does not know them, having someone there to listen and help them explore their feelings with no judgment.
“We don’t give advice, and if a caller needs advice or specialist support such as bereavement or abuse, we can signpost callers to these organisations.
“Whatever time or day you call, you will get through to speak to a Samarit
