Samaritans

There’s always time for a cuppa with Exeter, Mid & East Devon Samaritans 

The local branch of Samaritans is encouraging people across Exeter and East Devon to reach out to someone they care about for a cuppa and a catch up for Brew Monday - that’s January 16, the third Monday of January.

Volunteers from the branch will be out in force, with tea bags and cups, at six stations in the area: Exeter St David’s, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Dawlish, Tiverton Parkway...

Lions Club donation to help refurbishment of much-loved local shop

The Lions Club of Sidmouth has made a big donation to the Samaritans shop on the town’s High Street - just in time for a major refurbishment in the new year.

Quite appropriately, the big donation came in the form of a big cheque, which a pride of Lions handed over to Samaritans volunteers at a ceremony in Sidmouth.

The shop - a former bank - was opened as a fund-raising...

There’s always time for a cuppa with Exeter, Mid & East Devon Samaritans

The local branch of Samaritans is encouraging people across East Devon to reach out to someone they care about for a cuppa and a catch up for Brew Monday, January 17.

Whilst the third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’, the charity is highlighting that there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ as people can feel a range of emotions any day...

Training and support to help reduce suicide in Devon

Public Health authorities in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are working hard to prevent suicide through a programme of public awareness raising, targeted training for professionals and volunteers, and by supporting local grass roots community initiatives aimed at preventing suicide.

It comes as records show a rise in reported cases in Devon since 2018, with suicide rates in the county -...

Samaritans spread hope across Exeter, East and Mid Devon on World Suicide Prevention Day

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 the Exeter, East and Mid Devon Samaritans branch is encouraging people across the area to share those things that give them hope.

After a hugely challenging 18 months, volunteers are asking residents what they do to help maintain their wellbeing, in line with this year’s theme for the day, Creating Hope Through Action.

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Charity shop volunteers come to the rescue - by searching through bins!

Items donated by accident to a charity shop by a generous visitor to Devon were retrieved four days later - thanks to volunteers searching through dustbins.

Tania Stewart-Davies, an optometrist from east London, was in Devon clearing a property after her mother sadly died last month.

Tania donated much of the contents to the Samaritans charity shop in Sidmouth, giving items...

Underwater Photographer Kyle makes a Splash with Samaritans

If you think all charity shops are the same, think again - the Samaritans’ store in Sidmouth is not only a successful fund-raising outlet but it’s also a unique showcase for some of the area’s best artistic talents.

The shop, located in a former bank building, reopened from lockdown last month and within three weeks had attracted 700 paying customers, providing much-needed financial...

You’re not alone in feeling alone

The British Red Cross is reaching out to adults of all ages in Plymouth who feel lonely this Christmas.

After finding that more than 9 million people across the UK are always or often lonely the charity is showing those affected they are not alone in feeling alone and encouraging them to get in touch with its new local service for support.

John Ball, 71, from Plympton,...

1 In 3 of us avoid sharing problems

Nearly a third of people in the UK say they don’t like to burden others with their problems, according to research for the charity Samaritans.

The figures, published today to launch Samaritans’ awareness raising #TalkToUs campaign, also reveal that more than 1 in 5 (21.4%) people sometimes feel overwhelmed by their troubles, but 1 in 9 (11.4%) feel they don’t have anyone to share them...

Samaritans challenge stigma barrier to men seeking help

Samaritans are marking World Suicide Prevention Day by calling on society to stop expecting men to conform to the traditional view that “real men” should not need to seek help.

Stigma as a major barrier to suicide prevention is a key theme for this year. The expectations society has of men contributes to the fact that men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women...