Loud Amp Man Backs Ealing Samaritans #TheBigListen

One of the pioneers of loud rock music has backed this week’s Samaritans #TheBigListen campaign.

Pictured with his wife Lesley, at this weekend’s Ealing Blues Festival, Terry Marshall worked with father Jim to develop and market the first powerful guitar amplifiers in the mid 1960s. Marshall amplification went on to be used ever since by the world’s top guitar players – from Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend and Jimi Hendrix to AC/DC, Guns n Roses, Spinal Tap, and ZZTop.

Ealing Samaritans will be in action on Tuesday 24 July at Ealing Broadway Station asking commuters and visitors to improve their listening skills using its SHUSH listening tips.

It’s all part of a nationwide push to raise awareness and funds for Samaritans, and at the same time show how really listening to another person can be the first step to saving a life.

Samaritans volunteer and Director of its Ealing branch, Ann McLaughlin thanked Terry and Lesley Marshall for their support and added: “On Tuesday we’ll be raising awareness of our service and the outreach work that we do in the community. If you’re passing through Ealing Broadway do take the time to talk to us.”

Samaritans Listening Tips or S-H-U-S-H! are:

• Show you care: focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone
• Have patience: it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up
• Use open questions: that need more than a yes/no answer, & follow up e.g. ‘Tell me more’
• Say it back: to check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution
• Have courage: don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t be afraid to leave silence

Notes

1. Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123 (this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill), email [email protected], or visit Ealing branch at Junction Road, Ealing, W5 4XL where you can talk to one of our trained volunteers face to face.

1. All Samaritans branches are individual charities. Ealing Samaritans (registered charity no. 1173588) is only able to provide emotional support thanks to the donations and legacies and fundraising by our supporters.

Donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/samaritansealing/Donate.

Or use Amazon Smile and help Ealing Samaritans every time you shop. Sign up here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1173588-0