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Soap fictionP10The power

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YourAutumn

2017newsletter

October 2017

The sound of The Big Listen p3

On the third ring p12

In the face of adversity we stand united p6

The sound of The Big Listen 3

The power of listening 5

In the face of adversity, 6 we stand united

In the South Wales Valleys 9

Soap fiction 10

On the third ring 12

On the festival beat 13

News splash 14

Christmas raffle 15

Contents

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If you’d like to share

your story to encourage others

to talk and help increase awareness

of Samaritans work, or you’d like to

give us some feedback on our Autumn

Newsletter please get in touch.

03709 00 00 32

supportercare@samaritans.org

24/7 We're here round the clock

Autumn 2017 3

From high streets to hair salons, supermarkets to stations; Samaritans got the nation working on its listening skills for The Big Listen on 24 July.This date (24/7) perfectly reflects the round-the-clock support Samaritans offer to anyone feeling overwhelmed.

With a huge, estimated 2,000 hours a year spent listening to their clients, hairdressers across the UK backed the campaign to get everyone downloading Samaritans SHUSH listening tips and taking the time to let others talk.

Mental health campaigners Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn showed

their support by going for a quick trim at Samaritans’ pop-up barbers at King’s Cross Station. The pair had previously struck up a friendship, when Neil took the time to listen to Jonny when he felt suicidal.

In true Big Listen spirit, Jonny took the plunge and put his looks in the hands of Tom Chapman, from the Lions Barber Collective – an international group of top barbers who’ve come together to raise awareness of preventing suicide.

We are stronger together and the more we can join up and get the message out about how crucial listening is, the better. Tom ChapmanLions Barber Collective

The Big Listen!

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Show you care1Focus on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone

Have patience2It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up

Use open questions3

That need more than a yes/no answer, and follow up eg ‘Tell me more’

Say it back4To check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution

Have courage5Don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence

Samaritans volunteers were also out in force to promote our SHUSH listening tips, and more than 150 events were held across the UK to mark The Big Listen.

One such event involved hairdresser and Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, who teamed up with Haircuts4Homeless, to give their time and skills for free to people who are homeless or living rough.

Our CEO Ruth Sutherland put things into perspective:

Three times more people die from suicide than from road accidents. Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but it’s a skill we can all learn. Many hairdressers are naturally good listeners and many more people can learn those skills too.

You can find out more about The Big Listen and Samaritans SHUSH listening tips at samaritans.org or on Facebook facebook.com/samaritanscharity

S.H.U.S.H. listening tips

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Autumn 2017 5

The power of listeningIn support of The Big Listen, Vikki Craig explains how her hairdressing career naturally led to becoming a Samaritans volunteer. When you’re cutting someone’s hair it’s a very intimate thing as you’re usually together for a minimum of 45 minutes, so you can’t help but talk.

But what’s really surprising is how many people confide in you – once in the chair a client can open up about some of their deepest and darkest secrets.

I was recently surprised to find out that on average hairdressers spend 2,000 hours listening when they’re cutting or styling

someone’s hair. It makes sense to me now, but if I was to go back to beauty school and someone asked me about listening I would never have even considered the importance of fine-tuning my listening skills as part of my job.

I would never offer advice; it was always just about listening to the other person and sometimes encouraging them to talk, and I guess that’s what drew me to becoming a Samaritans volunteer.

Becoming a listening volunteer was an easy fit for me and it’s such an important part of my life now. When I answer a call as a Samaritans volunteer, I offer the person on the other end of the line a safe space to talk things through; my main job is to listen.

If we listened more to each other and showed more empathy,

more people would speak out

Find out more

about becoming

a volunteer

samaritans.org/volunteer

6

In the face of adversity, we stand united

We’ve all seen innocent people going about their daily lives, who’ve been caught up in shocking incidents. Incidents that have changed not only their lives, but the lives of many others too. Even our emergency services, that have had to face unprecedented life-threatening situations, have been affected.

In response to these traumatic incidents, Samaritans volunteers have

been there, on the ground, offering help to people unfortunate enough to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. We’ve listened to children and adults alike, who’ve needed emotional support to deal with the shock, bereavement and chaos surrounding them.

From the Manchester bombing to the two attacks in London and most recently the devastating fire at Grenfell

Tower, these incidents have affected more and more people.

Here are just a few accounts of the role Samaritans volunteers have played in helping people come to terms with these life-changing events.

Events across Britain and Europe during the past two years have made our streets, and places we gather, feel less safe.

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Grenfell Tower – in the wake of the fire

Samaritans volunteers from several local branches were also on the scene to offer emotional support in the wake of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower.

It wasn’t easy gaining access to the church where people were sheltering, but patience paid off. We saw piles of clothing and belongings – signs of the enormous response from donors. People were staring at the ground, seemingly lost in their emotions.

Our role was listen to anyone who was trying to make sense of their emotions, and to let people know that we’re here not just today but in the months and years ahead.AnnSamaritans volunteer

Have you heard of Samaritans?

Anna, 64, has been a volunteer with Samaritans Ealing branch for 41 years. She was on hand at London Bridge to offer support to travellers two days after the terrorist attack in Borough Market. She later shared her experience with us.

I grew up in London but hadn’t been to London Bridge for years. So, when I got to the station I was really overwhelmed, but I soon started engaging with people who were passing by.

Amongst others, I spoke to people who would have been in the Borough Market area but, for whatever reason, they weren’t there that night. A few people were shocked by the thought that they could have been caught up in the attack, had they not changed their plans. That was hard for some people to come to terms with, but at least I was there to help talk it through with them and listen.

One lady who talked to me had lost a work colleague in the attack, and she was leaving the City for some time away to process everything.

It’s not easy striking up a conversation with people who may still be in shock, but I tried my usual approach by asking ‘Have you heard of Samaritans?’ That often helps to break the ice.AnnaSamaritans volunteer

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We stand stronger together

Volunteers from across the North West and further afield pulled together to provide emotional support for the children and adults affected by the Manchester Arena bombing back in May.

As thousands of people gathered at the vigil, in St Anne’s Square, to pay their respects to the victims of the Manchester bombing, Samaritans were on hand to offer support to mourners and stand in solidarity.

Samaritans engaged with people – all touched by the event in some way – to chat and give out details of our service.

It was a stunning show of support from everyone in the community including an overwhelming display of flowers, artwork and poetry to deliver the message that we stand stronger together in the face of terrorism.

Samaritans were on hand to show support

to mourners and stand in solidarity.

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Autumn 2017 9

In the South Wales Valleys

Our approach includes:Emotional supportDriven by volunteers that run shifts in job centres, on the streets and other locations where we can easily be seen.

Awareness trainingOur volunteers, have reached over 3,700 individuals and 60 organisations through talks and awareness materials.

Working in schools To promote emotional health and develop resilience amongst pupils and teachers.

Partnership with the South Wales PoliceTo offer emotional support to people in custody and provide staff training.

You may recall reading about our report Dying from Inequality in our spring newsletter. It revealed vital evidence that supports Samaritans’ concerns about the link between suicide and deprivation.

Our work with communities in the Welsh Valleys, is part of our response to tackling suicide in high risk and economically deprived areas.

But to make a genuine and sustained difference to the lives of people in the Valleys, Samaritans has supported South Wales Police, secondary schools, GPs and other community based organisations.

Together, we aim to reduce emotional distress and lower the risk of suicide in the South Wales Valleys and potentially develop a model that could work in other economically deprived communities across the UK and ROI.

Find out how to support our South Wales Valleys project at samaritans.org/wales

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Soap fiction

To find out more, Lorna Fraser, Samaritans Media Advisor, visited the Hollyoaks’ studios to talk to the cast.

A member of the crew took time out to chat with Lorna. Here’s what they talked about:

How did you get involved?Samaritans works with different media on how to cover themes like suicide. Done well, programmes can improve understanding of

But there’s a serious side to our daily soaps. Scripts often tackle social and personal issues viewers may have faced, or are dealing with in the present. So it’s vital for production crews to communicate these issues in a responsible way – including suicide.

If you’re a Hollyoaks’ fan, you may well have seen the episodes that brought to life the realities of suicide, characterised through the fun-loving Scott Drinkwell, who tried to take his own life.

The Hollyoaks’ crew invited Samaritans to offer guidance on how his suicide attempt was dramatised. With our support the

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Troubled Scott on screen

Many of us are glued to our screens when our favourite soap comes on. Emotive storylines about everyday life provide script writers with one cliff hanger after another; guaranteeing we’ll tune in again (and again)!

story was aired with authenticity, without sensationalising suicide, and ensuring viewers affected knew where to go for help.

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what a suicidal person may be going through and make it easier for others to ask for help. Done less well, there’s more of a chance that a vulnerable person watching could be influenced negatively.

When did you start working together?About a year ago. Hollyoaks got in touch as soon as they had the idea that Scott would make a suicide attempt. We were pleased that they worked with us from the outset, sharing scripts as they developed the storyline.

Is the way that scenes are shot as important as the words the actors say?Yes, they can be. For example, Scott’s actual suicide attempt wasn’t shown. That’s important because research shows that by highlighting a method you risk others being encouraged to think about trying to end their life that way and even make an attempt on their own.

What was it like meeting Ross Adams, who plays Scott Drinkwell?Ross was great. Viewers have seen Scott suffering with depression and over time he’s also had to face a string of big setbacks in his life. By hiding behind his happy-go-lucky mask for so long, and pretending to everyone he’s ok, Scott has been on his own for a long time with difficult thoughts and feelings that have been building up.

Why is it important to show that build up?A suicide or attempted suicide is very complex, and never the result of just one thing. What Hollyoaks has done well is to show the danger of not talking about what’s happening when life is tough. Talking gives you some perspective and opens the door to getting help to deal with the pain and pressure you feel.

Why is it important that we see Scott being more honest about his feelings?Thinking you can’t go on isn’t unusual. One in five adults in England say they’ve had suicidal thoughts. For many, things improve and life goes on. Even for those who reach the lowest point and make a suicide attempt, recovery is possible. You can get support and go on to lead a happy life. By showing how someone recovers you can give others hope.

Lorna meets a crew member

Autumn 2017 11

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Joining Samaritans has been one of the proudest achievements of my life. It gives me a huge sense of self-worth and I feel privileged to be part of such an amazing community.

When a caller says, ‘thank you so much, I feel so much better now’, my heart swells.

I passed my Samaritans Initial Training during the summer. It wasn’t long before I realised all volunteers are different, but have one common thread: we care about other people.

I’ve experienced some of the things that many of our callers are going through. But I had the care and support of a loving extended family around me. Not everyone is so fortunate. That’s why I joined, so that I could offer someone else a shoulder to lean on.

When I first went upstairs to the duty room, I couldn’t believe how often the phone rang and how different every call was.

I was so proud of myself for getting my Samaritans number in June that I got a tattoo! The design pictured left features my number within three rings, with green stones for Samaritans.

I always let the phone ring three times before answering, to get myself ready to listen.

I’m proud of my tattoo – it’s my reminder that I am good enough to help other people because I care.Ayesha (Ish)Samaritans volunteer

On the third ring… Becoming a listening volunteer isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for others it’s a fulfilling and rewarding experience. As Ish, a new volunteer, soon found out, there’s a common bond that unites all Samaritans volunteers: they care about others. Ish shares her unique story.

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Autumn 2017 13

On the Festival beat!For many, Glastonbury is a weekend to let go and embrace the sound of music. For others it may be a temporary escape from stress and pressures back home, at work, college or university. That’s why, Samaritans volunteers were back at Glastonbury this year and on hand for around 175,000 festival goers, who may have been putting on a party-face. And perhaps relieved to talk about things they couldn’t share with friends and family for fear of being a burden.

Festivals are a great opportunity to be in the path of tens of thousands of people, rather than them having to find us!

The team are well and truly back at Glastonbury in the sunshine. We arrived on Monday and it’s good that we did, as setting up at Whitelake Bridge in this heat could only be done slowly! The first 24 hours have been busy, with lots of festival goers stopping off to talk to a trained volunteer.Janet HorsfieldSamaritans Leader

If you spot our festival tent at an event near

you, do come over for a chat

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News splash!

With immense pride, Nicola* touched the Endure24 finishing line in June, finally marking the end of 24 running events (including three marathons!) to raise well over £4,500 for Samaritans.A big thank you to Nicola and everyone who donated to her JustGiving page. *See our spring newsletter for Nicola’s full story.

Nicola Gee – yes she did!

Our partnership with Network Rail and the wider rail industry has reduced rail suicides by 18% over the last two years. This achievement is thanks to the commitment of rail industry staff, of whom we’ve trained over 15,000 in suicide prevention, and for whom a day’s work can mean facing people in their darkest moments.

News from Network RailDuring the general election, we encouraged supporters like you to write to their candidates to ask them to commit to doing everything they can to prevent suicide.We had a fantastic response and 35 candidates, who went on to win their seats and become MPs, signed up to the campaign. We’re excited to work with them to champion the issue in Parliament!

MPs sign up to our campaign

This year over 120 enthusiastic cyclists completed this year’s Ride London on 30 July, raising over £75,000 for Samaritans. Many thanks to all our cyclists and everyone who joined us to cheer them on – we hope you didn’t lose your voice!

Ride London

£4,500

raised

Over£75K raised

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CHRISTMAS RAFFLE 2017

It costs Samaritans £5 to be there for someone struggling to cope, that’s just 5 tickets!

It might seem a bit early to be thinking about tinsel and carols, but our Christmas Raffle is well under way and could make you up to £5,000 richer in time for Christmas Day!

To be in with a chance of winning big visit samaritans.org/raffle today.

Remember to play before the 4 December close date and the draw takes place on 18 December 2017. Tickets cost just £1 each.

If you would like more tickets, please contact 0370 034 0789