News

Lower Hutt Samaritans are seeking volunteers for their next training course.

They are looking for people who are good listeners, non-judgemental and empathetic, to help us operate our 24-hour helpline. As a volunteer you will be helping people who may be lonely, depressed or suicidal, or who need to talk about problems in their lives.
If you would like to learn new life skills and are available for 2 or 3 hours a week, daytime or evening, please phone our helpline 04 586 1048 to register your interest.

Samaritans of Wellington saw an 11% increase in calls by for September 2010 (compared to August 2010) with October also seeing a rising average.

“This was partly due to the extension of our 0800 number to help victims of the Canterbury earthquake but was also due to financial concerns with the GST increases and increases in domestic violence,” says Bruce Wall, Chairman, Samaritans of Wellington.

Samaritans of Wellington receives 50-100 calls a day – an average of three calls an hour, or 20,000 calls last year. The busiest times are between 7pm and 2am.

Wellington Samaritans would like to extend a huge thank you to Print Stop Plus for their generosity and support. If you're ever in need of great quality printing visit their store on Panama Street, Wellington. www.printstop.co.nz

Samaritans have issued a media release in response to the coverage by the Chief Coroner on suicide rates. Please download the attachment to read more.

To open this attachment you will need Adobe Acrobat which can be downloaded here.

In recognition of Volunteer Awareness Week the Independent Herald profiled two of our Samaritans.

Sue has been a Sam for 15 years and still has a passion for the work. "It's good fun, I wouldn't do it if i didn't love it."

In contrast Emily became a Sam just over 3 years ago, "It's a good feeling to know that you've been there for people who are feeling quite alone and people thanking you for being a listening ear."

At the start of Volunteer Awareness Week Samaritans wanted to take the chance to say THANK YOU to all our hard working, wonderful volunteers. They donate many hours to answering our helpline. Without them, we wouldn't be able to operate and provide our confidential, non-judgmental listening service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And most of all be there to help others.

The theme for Volunteer Awareness Week is volunteering across the generations. Here at Samaritans age isn't a barrier. Our volunteers are everyday people who range in age from 20 to 80.

Hill Street Farmers' Market have been hugely supportive of our Open Day - promoting it to their customers as much as they can.

Samaritans would like to say a big thank you to them and encourage any of our current volunteers or prospective volunteers coming to the Open Day to support them too. Pop in for a cup of coffee on your way to the Open Day or grab a piece of fresh fish, bottle of olive oil or your favourite veggies...the atmosphere is great as they often have music too!

Wellington Samaritans are running an Open Day during Volunteer Awareness Week for those interested in becoming a volunteer. Please visit our centre on Saturday 26th June between 10am and 12 noon. The centre is in Wellington Cathedral Car Park, Hill Street, Thorndon – look for signage.

The date coincides with the Hill Street Market so could be an opportunity to fit in a bit of shopping at the same time?

Samaritans volunteers give up their time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to listen to the many callers we receive. Wellington Samaritans alone receives in excess of 20,000 calls per year and this effort is replicated across the 6 centres that make up Samaritans in New Zealand.

Please help us to continue this vital work by making a donation now with your credit or debit card using the secure PayPal payment system.

Thank you.