About Us
Wellington Samaritans
Our Wellington Story
The first Samaritans centre in New Zealand was set up in Wellington in 1965 in the crypt of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, from where we have been operating ever since. We typically now take about 20,000 calls a year. Other centres followed, and now include Levin, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Waikato. We offer sympathetic, caring and confidential emotional support to all callers in distress.
Wellington Samaritans operates with a Board of ten members; Board committees include Operations, Finance, Risk and Fund Raising. We employ three part time staff and currently have ninety volunteers.
We recruit and train volunteers three times a year and offer regular monthly skills development training.
Our volunteer Samaritans come from all walks of life. They are chosen for their personal qualities of empathy and commitment to helping people. Volunteers are trained in active listening to provide callers with the sort of support they need.
“I was at a total loss as to what to do or how to feel better. I still remember the steady, interested voice of the person on the other end of the phone. I can’t remember the details of what we talked about, but I remember getting off the phone and feeling amazed just that someone had actually listened, taken me seriously, and cared. I felt enormous gratitude.”
Wellington Samaritans answer a call from someone in need every 22 minutes.
Help Support our Callers
We receive no government funding, so financial and in-kind support from donors, funders and sponsors is essential to help keep our phone lines open.
Together with the fundraising activities of our staff and volunteers, your donation will provide caller support and really could help save a life.
Donations can be made in the following ways:
- Click here to donate by credit card
- Internet banking account number 123-481-0022588-00
- Post your cheque to: PO Box 12-100, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
Donations over $5 are tax deductible. All donations are securely processed via Stripe.
Wellington Samaritans would like to acknowledge the generous support:
TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS – C H Izard Bequest via Wellington City Council | Community Organisations Grants Scheme | Four Winds Foundation | Grassroots Trust Central | Hutt Mana Charitable Trust | Nikau Foundation General Grants | Nikau Foundation Willscott Endowment Fund, and Willow Fund | NZ Lottery Grants Board | One Foundation | Pub Charity | The Lion Foundation | The Tai Shan Foundation | W & M Bear Charitable Trust | Wellington City Council Social and Recreation Fund | Wellington Community Fund
SPONSORS – 360 RNR – Relieve Nourish Reset | Baker Tilly Staples Rodway | DCR Rentals | Guthrie Bowron Thorndon | Harbour City Security | Havana Coffee Works | Institute of Directors | McCann Consulting | Middleware New Zealand | Ministry of Plumbing Limited | New World Churton Park | New World Khandallah | New World Thorndon | New World Wellington City | Pak n Save Kilbirnie | Phil Mears – Tommy’s Real Estate | Prestige Print | Sprig & Fern Tavern, Tinakori Road | Stan Kalafatelis – Ray White Leaders Real Estate | Stuff | t-leaf T | Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
“I do my small part to support Samaritans so that they can keeping being there on the end of the phone when
someone is in need.”
Peer to Peer Fundraising
Take part in a marathon or compete in a sporting event of your choice to raise money for Wellington Samaritans. It’s a great feeling to raise money for a good cause while you achieve your sporting goals. Contact us at marketing-wellington@samaritans.org.nz for more information.
Leave a Gift in your Will
We know that when you make a Will your first priority is to provide for your loved ones. After they are looked after, you can continue to support the causes that matter to you by leaving a gift to charity.
Remembering Samaritans in your Will is a powerful and lasting way to make sure our helpline is available for generations to come.
Corporate Partnership
We are always looking to work with businesses who are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders.
Benefits include:
- Connecting with mental health issues that affect thousands of New Zealanders
- Demonstrate a commitment to a good cause
- Make a real difference by supporting a long-standing trusted New Zealand charity
- Link to strong values that resonate with your employees and numerous target markets
Ways to work with Samaritans:
- Financial support including sponsorship
- Workplace giving
- Raising awareness
- Pro bono support such as volunteering, networking and training
As is the case with the people we help, no two corporate relationships are the same. We would love to work with your business to develop a relationship that helps you achieve your organisations’ goals and helps New Zealanders too.
If you’d like to become a sponsor, supporter or a partner – whether it be ongoing, one-off or for a particular project, we would love to talk to you. Please email us today … marketing-wellington@samaritans.org.nz
Talking to you gives me a bit of heart.
I needed a safe place and Samaritans made me feel safe. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Samaritans.
…phone call had long silences, but I could feel her pain.