Hastings Samaritans will be taking part in 'The Big Listen' event at Hastings Train Station to raise funds and awareness of Samaritans' services while giving tips on how to become better listeners.
Samaritans in Hastings and Rother are building up to the charity’s The Big Listen event at Hastings Train Station today by 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.
Activity up and down the country will culminate in a marathon 24-hour event kicking off at midday on 24 July (24/7), chosen to reflect Samaritans’ emotional support services, which are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Funds raised by The Big Listen will help Samaritans keep its services free for anyone who needs them, and help recruit, train and support volunteers as well as run local branches across the UK.
The Hastings and Rother branch will be handing out listening tips to help people become better listeners, while encouraging people to take the time to really listen to someone today. Whether it be a friend, a family member, or a work colleague, taking the time to really listen could make a big difference when someone's going through a difficult time, and we at Samaritans believe that listening has the potential to be the first step to saving a life. As well as this, the Hastings and Rother volunteers will be raising awareness of what Samaritans do and letting the public know that we are here to listen 24/7. There will also be fundraising and gathering interest from potential volunteers.
Samaritans volunteer and Director of its Hastings and Rother branch, Evie, said: “We’ll be raising awareness of the support our volunteers provide and the outreach work that we do in the community. Anyone can join in The Big Listen, just go to Samaritans’ website to find out more.”
Samaritans volunteers from 100 branches around the UK are holding events at 120 different stations for The Big Listen, with support in from British Transport Police and the wider rail industry.
Samaritans’ CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Three times more people die by suicide than from road accidents. Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but this is a skill we can share and everyone can learn. Together we will save lives.”
Paul Plummer, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing the rail industry, said: “Together, Britain’s rail companies are proud to be welcoming Samaritans volunteers into stations to help promote The Big Listen. Millions of people from all walks of life travel through our stations every day: challenging them to take the time to listen, and listen more effectively, is a positive message that we’re delighted to be helping Samaritans deliver.”
There are lots of ways to get involved in The Big Listen: make a donation, learn about listening or plan your own fundraising event. Find out more at: www.samaritans.org/media-centre/big-listen.
You can follow #TheBigListen @samaritans on Twitter, @samaritanscharity on Instagram, or via Samaritans’ facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity/.