Samaritans of Weston Super Mare and N Somerset

Overview

Samaritans beliefs are:-
- Importance of callers to having the space to explore difficult feelings
- Being listened to and accepted without prejudice can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings
- That everyone has the right to make decisions about their own life including the right to die by suicide

The Samaritans are there 24/7 across all branches to help the worried, the distressed and the lonely.

In 2011 Samaritans of Weston-super-Mare and N. Somerset handled 9822 telephone calls of which 7922 were from distressed or suicidal callers.

Our callers don't need to be suicidal; talking to us hopefully will prevent them moving that way. We give our callers the space and time to talk through their problems in their own way without judgment.

We also answered 897 emails and SMS is a growing route of contact with us. Both email and SMS seem to be increasingly coming from younger callers and they are often suicidal and /or at risk of self harm and suicide.

What we do

What can I speak to you about?

There’s no typical problem that people talk to us about. You can talk to us anything that’s making you feel bad.

Sometimes people call us because they are struggling to cope with a single problem that they have.

More often, people contact us because a number of problems have mounted up and they’re finding it hard to cope.

What matters to us is how your life is making you feel.

Our services (the phone lines, emails, letters and in branch) are manned by everyday people who volunteer for Samaritans. They’ve been through months of thorough training to qualify as a Samaritan, so they really know what they’re doing, and how best to help you, no matter what the issue is.

We are there to support you through all kinds of situations feelings and thoughts. What one person can take head on, may lead another person to struggle to cope.

You don’t have to be feeling suicidal to get in touch. Only I in 5 people who call us feel suicidal at the time.

Sometimes just one call or email is not enough – and it doesn’t have to be. You can contact us as often as you need to. We are always here.

Where we do it

Samaritans are a national organisation, however our branch is based in Weston Super Mare.

You do not need to come to our office to get support, please view the number of options below to access the support you need, when you need it.

How to access

There are a number of ways you can contact Samaritans locally and nationally:

• Telephone: 01934 632555 (local)
 
• National Number: 08457 909090
 
• National Support Email: jo@samaritans.org

You can also now send us a message by mobile and talk to us by SMS. 
The number for this service is  07725 90 90 90.

Overview

We know that life can be unbelievably tough. We don't have a magic wand to make your problems disappear.

But, given the chance, many people are able to find a way through their problems themselves, if there is someone there giving them time and space to talk.

We can help you to explore your options and come to your own decisions about what's best for you. Our support may help you find your own way forward.

What we do

What can I speak to you about?

There’s no typical problem that people talk to us about. You can talk to us anything that’s making you feel bad.

Sometimes people call us because they are struggling to cope with a single problem that they have.

More often, people contact us because a number of problems have mounted up and they’re finding it hard to cope.

What matters to us is how your life is making you feel.

Our services (the phone lines, emails, letters and in branch) are manned by everyday people who volunteer for Samaritans. They’ve been through months of thorough training to qualify as a Samaritan, so they really know what they’re doing, and how best to help you, no matter what the issue is.

We are there to support you through all kinds of situations feelings and thoughts. What one person can take head on, may lead another person to struggle to cope.

You don’t have to be feeling suicidal to get in touch. Only I in 5 people who call us feel suicidal at the time.

Sometimes just one call or email is not enough – and it doesn’t have to be. You can contact us as often as you need to. We are always here.

Where we do it

Samaritans are a National organisation who have branches across the UK. You dont need to come to our office to get our support, you can contact us in a wide number of ways.

How to access

There are a number of ways you can contact Samaritans locally and nationally:

• Telephone: 01934 632555 (local)
• National Number: 08457 909090
• National Support Email: jo@samaritans.org

You can also now send us a message by mobile and talk to us by SMS.
The number for this service is 07725 90 90 90.