The best gift for some people can be as simple as being prepared to hear them out, is the message from Bath & District Samaritans, as they gear up for one of the busiest times of the year for their listening service.
The local suicide prevention charity, whose 100 volunteers will be staffing phones, and answering emails and texts throughout the holiday period, say that they know from calls they receive that the pressure of Christmas can get too much for some people.
Branch Director, David Ryder, said: “For people with worries, or facing uncertainty or personal problems, this time of year can be especially depressing. Simply offering to listen, to let them talk things through, can make a positive difference, and everyone can help.”
To help start these important conversations, Samaritans has produced a set of downloadable gift-vouchers which can be personalised to offer a chat, a coffee or even an evening in with a favourite tv box set.
The vouchers can be given as Christmas offerings on their own, or alongside other presents.
The vouchers are available to download for free from Samaritans’ website along with a free guide on how to be a good listener this Christmas.
David added:“For people feeling they’ve no-one to talk to, Samaritans are always here, just a free phonecall or email away. We’ll listen, we won’t judge – we’re there to help people talk about their problems.”
Bath & District Samaritans are also encouraging donations of £5.00 or more, another way to give the gift of listening, as that is roughly the cost to the charity of taking every potentially life-saving call.
Donations can be made on the Bath & District website, or via Virgin Giving.
Samaritans are available, 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, on freephone 116 123.
They also accept email, text message or letters. More details are available on the Samaritans website: www.samaritans.org.