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Samaritans took its first call on 2nd November 1953. Its
original phone number was MAN 9000. Read
more about Samaritans history
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Samaritans was the first 24 hour telephone helpline to be set up
in the UK and has helped many of the other helplines that exist
today through its experience.
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Samaritans telephone helpline was started by the late Prebendary
Dr Chad Varah with one man, one phone and one room.
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The data held centrally shows that since 1984 Samaritans has
received over 63 million contacts in which people felt able to
speak, type or write.
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The Samaritans UK number 0845 7909090 has the most complex
Calling Plan in the UK.
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The biggest branch is Central London,
which currently has 405 active volunteers. It is also the oldest
branch.
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The smallest branch is Stornoway in
Scotland, which currently has 12 volunteers.
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Our email emotional support service started in 1994 and
currently there are 193 Samaritans branches providing the service
via email (at the end of 2008).
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Our SMS emotional support service started in 2002 and currently
there are 32 Samaritans branches providing the service via SMS (at
the end of 2008).
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Samaritans branches are spread across the UK and Republic of
Ireland, from Truro in the south west of England to Caithness in
the north of Scotland, and from Lowestoft in the east of England to
Tralee in the west of Ireland. In addition, there are branches on
the Isle of Lewis, the Isle of Man, Orkney, Shetland, Isle of
Wight, Guernsey and Jersey.
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Festival branch in England and
Irish Festival Group ensure that even if
you are in a muddy
field in the middle of nowhere and your mobile is not working,
Samaritans unique listening and emotional support service is
available.
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In 2008, Samaritans branches in the UK and ROI provided support to 168 prison establishments. Listener
statistics collated for the Home Office in 2008 reveal that almost
1,500 Listeners were trained in 143 establishments in England and
Wales. The Listeners responded to approximately 100,000
contacts.
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In 2008, over 150,000 people were informed about Samaritans
service through outreach and public awareness work by Samaritans
branches.
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Since 2003 Samaritans External Training
Services has trained over 5,000 people in handling difficult
contacts, enhanced communication skills and managing stress in the
workplace.
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In addition to its activities in the UK and Republic of Ireland,
Samaritans supports information sharing between over 400 affiliated
centres in 39 countries and shares these combined experiences in
the international arena, to promote best practice. For more
information visit www.befrienders.org