Our strategic priorities 2022–27
We’ve worked closely with people who have contacted Samaritans, been affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, and those who volunteer and work with us or support us, to identify five major ambitions for our new strategy to improve:
We will take a phased approach to working on our priorities, over five years, meaning that not everything will happen at once. As this is a five-year strategy, our priorities will remain the same, but we will develop more detailed plans on how we will deliver them during year one, as we work to increase capacity and capability, making sure we have a solid base from which to grow.
Having greater impact across our five nations
The policies, legislation and practices that affect suicide rates and suicide prevention are becoming ever more specific to individual jurisdictions. Samaritans has a long-established presence in England, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which gives us real strength as a change-maker. Through this strategy period we will continue to be sensitive to the differing issues and needs of the five nations and adapt our approach to deliver the most relevant and appropriate plans across the UK and Republic of Ireland to make the most impact in different areas.
Our strategic priorities 2022–27
1. Make sure anyone who needs us can access our support
We’ll work hard to ensure people who seek our support can reach us how and when they need to, by training more volunteers and working innovatively on new ways to connect with us, like online chat, alongside continually reviewing and improving our phone, email and in-person listening services.
2. Reach more people to let them know we’re here
We’ll actively go out into a more diverse range of communities so that the people who need us most see us, trust us and know we’re here for them. We will do this together with the most relevant people, organisations and industries, as well as strengthening our existing work within local communities.
3. Make our voice heard at a national, regional and local level for maximum impact
We’ll push harder to make suicide prevention a priority nationally, regionally and locally across the UK and Republic of Ireland, working collaboratively to make change that saves lives. We will listen to people who have been affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts and identify key areas that need more research, in order to help us make the greatest change.
4. Increase our capacity to become one team of valued, diverse, skilled people
We’ll strive to become more flexible and supportive so that a wider range of people can fit volunteering into their lives and so we fully reflect the communities we serve. We will support personal development, which will encourage and inspire volunteers and staff to commit to us for as long as possible.
5. Build meaningful relationships with our supporters to ensure our sustainability
We’ll create ways for the people and organisations who support us to add their energy, resources and experience to our work so that together we can be there for those who need us for years to come.
On the two occasions when I reached out to Samaritans I was in a pretty desperate place. The ability to get those feelings out – the feelings of lack of self-worth, hopelessness, whatever you want to call it – empowered me to then go to the people around me.
Ian