Gemma Howe

Different ways to support Samaritans

Bessie Matthews, Freightliner

Working in the rail industry as a freight train driver, Bessie is passionate about the safety of the railway and her personal experience has inspired her advocacy for supporting mental health and Samaritans’ work.

Volunteers Week 1-7 June

Volunteers Week takes place from 1st - 7th June. Volunteers Week is a time to say Thanks for the contribution million...

Volunteering with Samaritans

Rich Holliday, Listening Volunteer

I decided to join Samaritans as a volunteer for a number of reasons. I wanted to do something that was different to my day job and because I’ve worked in the rail industry for 16 years, I’ve seen the impact suicide on the railway can have on people.

Mental health awareness week 10 – 16 May

Many of us may have struggled during these uncertain times. That’s why we’re encouraging you to get closer to nature...

Volunteering with Samaritans

Patrick Hall, Listening volunteer

Patrick has been a proud Samaritans listening volunteer since 2002 alongside his job as a Railway Signaller for Network Rail.

Being a listening volunteer

Karen Barnes, Samaritans listening volunteer

It gives you a sense of fulfilment to be able to help someone and I would encourage everyone to consider becoming a listening volunteer for Samaritans.

Two year anniversary

This March the Million Hour Challenge, reached its two-year milestone.

Ganymede take up the challenge

Million Hour Challenge partner, Ganymede

Our partnership with Samaritans helps us drive our strong focus on community engagement.

Rail Industry survey now open!

In partnership with the Institute for Volunteer Research (IVR) at the University of East Anglia, we’re asking rail in...

You can change the story

Last year Samaritans volunteers answered 10,050 calls for help on Christmas day.

Volunteering at Samaritans

Misty Nicholson, Quantity Surveyor, Costain

Misty completed her training during lockdown while juggling work and studying at London Southbank University. She has shared her journey to becoming a Samaritans volunteer.

Mental health and wellbeing initiatives in the rail industry

The rail industry is taking great strides in supporting your mental health and wellbeing and there are some great new initiatives recently launched for you and your colleagues.

One million steps

Tony Brindley, MTR Elizabeth Line

Tony, who works at Romford Railway Station, is walking over 33,000 steps per day during the month of September in his challenge to walk one million steps.

Mental health in RAIL

On 29 June, RAIL hosted their first webinar focused on ‘Supporting each other: Mental health and the railway’, feat...

Becoming a listening volunteer

Joanne Marrable, Samaritans listening volunteer

I absolutely love being a listening volunteer with Samaritans, I consider it a privilege. There’s something quite humbling about being granted access into a person’s life and quite often in their darkest moments. Some callers can find it so difficult to pick up the phone and start a conversation and as a volunteer you’re able to give them the time and space they need to share their thoughts and feelings and to really listen to them.

Covid-19

The coronavirus outbreak is affecting the way many of us live our lives, and it’s normal that this will affect people’s mental health. Samaritans has created a dedicated page providing guidance around mental health, which is being kept updated with helpful articles and resources as they are published.

Samaritans emergency appeal

The outbreak of Coronavirus and the affects it has had on our mental health means the Samaritans helpline is needed now more than ever. Samaritans is working hard to be there day and night for those struggling to cope, and their helpline is feeling the pressure.