Samaritans heading for Wharf Green to raise awareness

By Jessica Durston - 21 July 2021

CharityCommunity

Volunteers from Swindon & District Samaritans will be at Wharf Green Friday 23 July to promote their 'Talk To Us' support campaign.

Throughout July, Samaritans branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland are raising awareness of their services and encouraging anyone in need of emotional support to contact their listening volunteers.

Swindon & District Samaritans will be at Wharf Green between 10am - 4pm to talk to people about its services and provide emotional support. 

Susie, Volunteer Director of Swindon & District Samaritans branch, said: "The challenges that many people have faced because of the pandemic are continuing and won’t necessarily ease with restrictions lifting.

 

"At Swindon & District Samaritans we're really looking forward to being out within the community again and talking to people at the roadshow. We know how powerful listening can be. Listening helps us build relationships, be there for others and it can save lives. It’s so important to reach out for a chat with someone you care about. Whether in person or virtually, it’s just about taking time to really listen to another person which can in turn help them work through what’s on their mind.”

The volunteers will be joined by volunteers from Citizens Advice Swindon and some of the team at the Department for Work and Pensions at Swindon Jobcentre.

Susie said: “We are also thrilled that Greenbridge roundabout in Swindon is, once again, being lit up in Samaritans green on Saturday 24 July in recognition that there will always be someone to talk to and we are very thankful to Swindon Borough Council and Affleck Electrical Ltd for their tremendous support.”

With restrictions lifting and continued change, the charity believes many people may find returning to everyday life challenging.

Samaritans UK says challenges that people face up and down the country have been felt even more acutely over the last year, as the pandemic has had a profound impact on the nation’s mental health. Samaritans volunteers have provided emotional support more than 2.3 million times since social distancing restrictions began. More than one in five of these calls for help have been about coronavirus with people feeling concerned about mental health and illness, family relationships, finance and unemployment, loneliness and isolation.

Cllr Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “The Samaritans do such important work supporting people with low mood and suicidal ideation.  One of the most important things you can do when experiencing poor mental health is to reach out for support and the Samaritans are there 24 hours a day to listen in a non-judgemental way. It is a very valuable service.”

More information about Samaritans, how to donate, and ways you can support Swindon & District Samaritans can be found at www.samaritans.org/branches/swindon

Donations can be made by text: SWINDONSAMS (to donate £5)

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123, by email at  [email protected] and via www.samaritans.org.

(Greenbridge roundabout lit up green for Samaritans)

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