Paul Stevens: The Samaritans

We were joined by three guests today: Area Governor Ann Holmes, Philip Smith’s guest Andrew Vince and our speaker Paul Stevens, director of Chelmsford and Mid Essex Branch of the Samaritans.

Samaritans are all volunteers and offer a listening service for anyone struggling to cope with life. Their mission is to reduce suicidal feelings so that fewer people die. Paul offered us some sobering statistics. In 2017 in the UK 5,821 people died by suicide. Men make up ¾ of all suicides and the most vulnerable time for women is in their 50s.

Every Samaritan has six rules:

• Never give advice. Just listen
• Discussion is confidential
• People should be allowed to make their own decisions
• Listeners are non-judgemental
• Accept the value of human contact
• Believe everybody has the right to self-determination

Samaritans were started in 1953 by Rev Dr Chad Varah, who noticed that people found it easier to talk through problems with strangers.

The Samaritans’ helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to anyone whether suicidal or not.

20,000 volunteers answer 5.4 million calls and 700,000 texts a year in 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland. A volunteer has to commit to one three-hour shift a week and one overnight shift a month.

The Chelmsford and Mid Essex Branch is based in Primrose Hill and its catchment area is any CM postcode. They also work with Chelmsford Prison and regularly visit Chelmsford and Ingatestone railway stations.

The annual running cost of the Chelmsford branch of £13,000 is entirely met by fundraising. Paul said that he is always looking for more volunteers, not only listeners but also IT support or fundraisers. He is hoping to expand his pool of volunteers by establishing links with organisations such as Rotary.