Norwich Branch of Samaritans volunteers celebrate Samaritans Awareness Day

Held on Wednesday 24th July – reflecting the fact the charity’s volunteers are available 24/7 – Norwich Samaritans will be celebrating the day by reminding the local community that we're our listening volunteers are here day and night, 24/7, for anyone who needs someone to listen. Members of the public will be able to come and meet volunteers from Norwich branch of Samaritans by visiting their information stand which will located from 10.30am 3.30pm on Westlegate outside John Lewis in Norwich.

Norwich Samaritans Branch Director, Jane Brown said: “Samaritans volunteers respond to a call for help every 10 seconds from people facing all sorts of challenges. Sadly, we also know that not everyone feels able to reach out for the support they need or may not feel they have someone to turn to.

“That’s why Samaritans Awareness Day aims to remind everyone that our volunteers are here to lend a listening ear at any time of day or night, whatever you’re going through.

“Recent data* has shown that suicide rates may be at their highest in 25 years so it’s more important than ever that people don't wait until crisis point to seek support and share how they are feeling."

To help encourage help-seeking, and make it easier to reach out for support, the suicide prevention charity has created new assets answering common questions people have about contacting its volunteers.

These include “what if I don’t know what to say or how to explain how I feel?”, “is it OK to call more than once?” and “can I call you even if I’m not feeling suicidal?”. Samaritans’ social media channels will be posting the answers – and further important information – throughout July.

For more information about Samaritans Awareness Day, and how to get involved, visit www.samaritans.org/247

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org