Samaritans at Christmas

With the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions over the holiday many of us are arranging to get together with our families and loved ones to celebrate and to meet those we have been kept apart from. We are the lucky ones.
Spare a thought for those who won’t be part of any celebration this year. There will be thousands of people who will be on their own, without family, friends and those who will be struggling either with mental health issues, other pressures and in despair for whatever reason, Samaritans will be there for anybody who needs us as we have been for over 60 years.

Our volunteers are getting ready for Christmas, they will be giving up part of their Christmas to be there 24 hours a day. We answer a call every 7 seconds and on Merseyside we are proud to be available 365 days a year, with Christmas and New Year no exception. To meet the Christmas demand we will be doubling up on the number of listening volunteers who will be available (keeping safe and keeping our distance of course!)

Christmas is a time when we normally go out, meet people and try to fundraise via street collections, bag packing at supermarkets and in other face to face locations this is a way too for us to raise awareness. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19, none of these activities can take place but we are reaching out to ask if anyone can help us raise funds so we stay open. Our branch responds to over 30,000 calls per year.

As a retired solicitor and a Samaritan’s volunteer I am appealing to members of the profession and their client’s to consider making a donation to your local Branch to enable us to continue to keep our lines open this Christmas and throughout 2021. You can donate though our Virgin Money Giving page here and also by texting to 70085 and donating £5 which will help us answer one call.

Finally, all the volunteers at the Liverpool and Merseyside branch wish all the members of the Liverpool Law Society, their families, friends and clients a safe and happy Christmas holiday and their best wishes for 2021
If you want to find out more about how you can volunteer and become either a Samaritan Listener or Support Volunteer you will find all the details on our website here

Samaritans is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Our free phone number is 116 123 and our email address is jo@samaritans.org

Tony Summers
Deputy Director and Trustee
Tony1@Liverpool-samaritans.org

December 2020