About The Samaritans

The Samaritans change lives

Every single day, around 16 people decide to end their own life across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Our callers talk, we listen

We don’t judge or tell people what do to

We help people to focus their feelings and to think clearly about their options

We provide support for our community

We know our service can help people before it's too late.

We are entirely funded by donations

The Salisbury Branch of the Samaritans is one of the oldest branches in the UK and is now based in The Barnack Business Centre in Blakey Road, Salisbury SP1 2LP. This is a purpose-built centre well adapted to all our needs which we moved into in May 2022.

The centre is the "local” for West Hampshire and South Wiltshire this region. It is one of the few aspiring to have two telephones manned for 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

We have over 100 volunteers, taking over 42,000 caller contacts in a year, of which nearly 17,000 are of significant length - an average of approximately 450 and 180 per volunteer per year respectively - well above the national average. This reflects the dedication, and hard work, of our volunteers.

In addition, our speakers give presentation talks to schools, colleges, clubs and other organisations.

Samaritans can be contacted by telephone, by letter and by email. Over 95% of contacts are by telephone.

Each year, every Samaritans Centre is expected to raise its own funds. The Salisbury Sams team are very grateful to all those participating in Sams Ride for the very important funds that will help them continue to provide the excellent service they do, especially in the year when they have had much bigger than usual expenses because of the move to the Barnack Business Centre.

How helping the Samaritans can make a difference

Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

They offer their service by telephone, text, email, and letter in most of the branches around the UK.

The branch website can be found at samaritans.org/branches/salisbury/

If you are interested in volunteering as either a listening or support volunteer, please email Salisbury.BranchRecruitment@samaritans.org A full training programme is provided.