As the UK gears up once more for the festive season, Samaritans remind people that no one needs to feel alone this Christmas.
If you’re struggling to cope with life, the pressure to have a good time can magnify your challenges and increase your sense of isolation, even with friends and family around you.
Samaritan volunteers in Brighton, Hove and District branch will be there round the clock for anyone who feels they need to talk, in confidence, about whatever’s getting to them – on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and every other day of the year.
Samaritans’ branch Director, Daniel Cheesman, says: “Someone contacts Samaritans every six seconds. Problems don’t go away just because it’s Christmas, so if you’re finding it hard to look forward to the festive season, we’re here for you. If it’s too difficult to open up to friends or family, or you feel you have no one who will listen, talk to us. We’ll keep whatever you say safe, we won’t judge and we’ll help you find a way through.”
Helen, aged 31, is a Samaritans volunteer in Brighton Hove and District branch, and has answered hundreds of calls for help from people finding Christmas and New Year an ordeal.
She says: “It may be your first Christmas without your children because of a separation. Or you may be bereaved, or struggling with redundancy, debt, your health, relationships or family issues. It’s OK to not be having a good time, and you don’t have to put on a brave face for us. You can talk to us, by phone, email or face to face in our branch. However difficult your thoughts and feelings are, knowing that we care and that we will listen can make all the difference.”
Last year Samaritans responded to more than 5.3 million calls for help from people struggling to cope, with nearly 200,000* contacts to the charity over the festive season alone.
Samaritans relies almost entirely on donations to run its 201 branches and train its 21,200 volunteers, who also provide emotional support in schools, prisons, workplaces, and throughout their local communities.
To support Samaritans with a donation, click here:
To find out more about Samaritans in Brighton Hove and District branch or to talk to local volunteers about their services over Christmas, telephone: 01273 772277.
Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope, whoever you are and whatever life has done to you.
Telephone 116 123 (this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill), or 01273 772277 (local call charges apply), email jo@samaritans.org.
To find the nearest branch, click here:
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