Ever thought about Samaritans?
How much do you know about Samaritans?
The Samaritans organisation is one of the longest-established and most respected in our local community, and its services are needed more now than ever before.
The local Portsmouth and East Hampshire branch is asking for help to ensure that it can continue to provide its essential 24-hour service for people who are feeling suicidal or depressed, or who need emotional support.
Samaritans are seeking people who can assist in any of the following ways :
•Train as a Listening Volunteer to support callers - Samaritans listening volunteers come from all sorts of backgrounds and, because full training is given, need no specific experience. The obligation is to undertake one 3- or 4-hour day-time duty per week, plus one 6-hour night-time duty per month. Duties may be undertaken at times to suit the volunteer. Volunteers are trained to support callers not only on the telephone, but also face-to-face and by e-mail (no computer knowledge required!)
•Make a donation or help with fund-raising for Samaritans - Samaritans are dependent upon voluntary contributions, and the Portsmouth and East Hampshire branch needs to raise over £100 a day just to cover its costs. They need people who can spare a little time to join their team street and house-to-house collectors, or who can place a collecting tin in their workplace. They are also asking people to think of them when they next update their wills.
•Assist with publicity or raising awareness - Samaritans need to raise awareness in the local community about the 24-hour availability and support which they provide. They would like to be able to increase the number of callers using their service in the hope of supporting even more people experiencing distress or suicidal feelings. This requires wide distribution of posters, leaflets and other publicity. Samaritans will also provide speakers to other organisations or meetings of community groups.
If you feel that you can help Samaritans achieve their objectives in any of these ways, please contact them now :
Phone : 023 9269 1313
E-mail : portsmouth@samaritans.org
Write : Samaritans, 296 London Road, Portsmouth, PO2 9JN
Visit their website:
www.samaritans.org/portsmouth
