Samaritans getting people listening in Halifax

Volunteers from Samaritans in Halifax are getting people listening this summer by sharing their listening tips at Halifax train station and Halifax bus station tomorrow.
Halifax Bus StationHalifax Bus Station
Halifax Bus Station

It’s all part of a nationwide push called The Big Listen to raise funds for Samaritans and show how listening to another person can be the first step to saving a life.

The Big Listen activity will culminate in a marathon 24-hour event kicking off at midday tomorrow (July 24) – chosen to reflect the availability of Samaritans’ 24-hour emotional support services.

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Famous faces from across the worlds of sport, music, TV, entertainment, business and fashion will be lending their support, as well as donating money-can’t-buy prizes to help promote The Big Listen to their fans.

Volunteer Joyce Catterick from Samaritans’ branch in Calderdale says: “It’s thought that as many as one in five people have thought about taking their own life at some point. When people feel like that, they need to be able to talk about it, which means they need people to listen.

“As Samaritans volunteers, we know how much listening to someone at a really low point can help them feel less alone, more able to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, and give them the time and space to reflect and move on.

“Not everyone will feel ready to open up to family, friends or colleagues, but the more we share what good listening is all about and how to encourage people to talk, the higher the chances people will have share what’s going on in their life, before they reach crisis point. With The Big Listen, we’re asking people to give, share and save a life.”

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Funds raised by The Big Listen will help Samaritans keep its services free for anyone who needs them, as well as helping to recruit, train and support volunteers and local branches across the UK.

Anyone can back The Big Listen by making a donation, learning more about listening and planning their own fundraising events. Find out more at: www.samaritans.org/media-centre/big-listen.

You can follow #TheBigListen @samaritans on Twitter @samaritanscharity on Instagram or Samaritans’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity/

Anyone can contact Halifax branch by calling on the free national number 116123 or 01422 349349 or visiting at 29 Harrison Road.

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