Lived experience opportunities

What: Samaritans is partnering with Missing People charity to undertake research about the experiences of people who have been suicidal and missing. This research aims to understand what role going missing had in suicidal people’s experience, and whether any support could have prevented them from going missing.

As part of the research project we are setting up an advisory group, which will be made up of a small number of researchers from Missing People and The Samaritans, and people who have been suicidal and / or missing themselves. The advisory group will meet four times over the course of the project:

1. An initial short meeting to get to know each other
2. In advance of submitting an ethics application to The Samaritans’ ethics panel
3. Once primary research has concluded, to discuss key themes and findings
4. At the end of the project, to discuss recommendations

There will be some preparation work in advance of each meeting. We anticipate this taking up to 2 days of your time spread out over the duration of the project.

Why: We want this research to be as impactful as possible, as well as being as sensitive to the needs of participants as possible. Your involvement in this project will inform the development of the research materials and how the research is conducted, as well as the final report and recommendations for practice and policy change.

The final outcome of this project will be a research report with recommendations.

Remuneration: £75 per half day (3.5 hours); £150 per day (7 hours) – this will be made by Samaritans.

Who: Anyone over 18 who has experience of suicidality and going missing.

Where: Online meetings

When: 1 day in December and 1 day between April-June 2025). This consists of 1 hour for each online meeting (total 3 hours) and approximately 2-3 hours preparation for each of the meetings (total 6-9 hours), plus some additional time for post-meeting tasks following the first meeting (up to 2 hours).

The first meeting will take place w/c 9th December 2024 (online likely between 5 and 7pm)

How: To express an interest, apply, or if you have any questions about the role, please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected] outlining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the criteria summarised above.

You can find the role description and preparedness document at the bottom of this page. Look out for 'Missing People' in the file name!

Deadline: Sunday 24th Nov at 6pm

Samaritans’ Online Chat pilot service makes it possible to chat with a trained Samaritan online, in real time. Sometimes typing can be more comfortable than talking; sometimes talking on the phone just isn’t an option.

What: Samaritans have partnered with The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations and Habitus Collective to evaluate our Online Chat pilot service. Peer researchers, who have lived experience, have been recruited to work with the research team. They will facilitate online focus groups to gather feedback on the service. This approach ensures that the voices of those with lived experience of suicide are integral to improving the Online Chat. The focus group is designed to allow you to share your thoughts in a way which feels comfortable for you. You will not have to answer anything you are not comfortable talking about.

There are two options to participate in the opportunity we are recruiting for.

1. If you’re over 18, you can join Samaritans’ Lived Experience Panel, where you will have the opportunity to support us with this evaluation via a survey and/or focus group, and various other studies in the future.
2. Or, you can participate in this evaluation as part of a one-off opportunity by attending a focus group without having to become a member of Samaritans’ Lived Experience Panel.

Option 2 is open to adults and 11–17-year-olds, anyone under 17 will be in a session with other young people.

Why: You will be helping Samaritans understand the impact of the service and what outcomes are experienced by the people who use it, particularly for children and young people – the findings will inform any necessary improvements we need to make.

Remuneration: £25 Love2Shop voucher as a thank you for your time.

Who: We are looking for a diverse range of people who have experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and/or have lost someone to suicide, and have used Samaritans’ Online Chat service.

We are especially keen to speak to young people aged 18 – 24, but anyone 11 or over can express an interest. If you have not used Samaritans’ Online Chat service but have used a similar service, we’d also be interested in speaking to you.

Where:

• Over 18s – online (Zoom), though you must be based in the UK.
• Under 18s – a location in Central London.

When: Focus groups will take place between 9th December 2024 - 11th January and last 90 min.

How:

Option 1. If you’re over 18, interested in joining our Lived Experience Panel and completing the survey and/or focus group, and the opportunity for other studies in the future, please complete the panel sign up form.

Option 2. If you’re only interested in the one-off opportunity to support the evaluation of our Online Chat pilot service, complete our expression of interest form.

Deadline: 10am on 16th December 2024

NB: If you are selected you will receive information from The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, participants will be selected on an ongoing basis so you may receive an invite before or after the deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Apply to become a member of our Public Places Lived Experience Advisory Group.

What: We are looking for ten people with lived experience of suicidality (suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts) in relation to public places to join our new Advisory Group to provide independent, expert advice.

The advisory group will influence our approach to suicide prevention in public places and aid us in our work with stakeholders including Network Rail, National Highways and Local Authorities. The members’ experiences shall shape and inform both new and existing suicide prevention mitigation measures, activities and campaigns.

Why: Lived Experience Advisory Group members will help ensure lived experience, and this perspective is an integral part of our approach to suicide prevention in public places, providing insight and constructive challenge. The integration of lived experience into our work is a key part of Samaritans’ organisational strategy.

Who: People who are over 18, who have historic lived experience of suicide attempts in a public place or thoughts of ending their life in a public place. (Full criteria listed in role description)

Where: Online – though you must be based in the UK or Ireland

When: Dec 2024 – March 2026 with an option to extend for a further 18 months dependent on funding

Time/Time commitment: 4 half-day induction sessions (4.00 - 6.30pm on 26th Nov and 10th Dec, plus two more dates in Feb to be confirmed), followed by quarterly meetings lasting up to 3.5hrs (4 per calendar year)

Payment: £75 per meeting, including pre-reading/post meeting tasks and not exceeding 3.5hrs per meeting.

How: Read the role description below for full details. A link to the application form is included.

Deadline: Midnight Sunday 24th November December 2024

We will let you know if you have been shortlisted by 6pm on 2nd December

If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected]