Samaritans
Things on your mind?

Samaritans statistics

  • Samaritans consists of 200 branches, Irish and UK Festival Branches and a Correspondence branch

  • 14,433 active volunteers ad 2,010 inactive volunteers in 2007

  • 2,058,744 volunteer hours in 2007

  • 2,761,984 dialogue contacts in 2007

 

  1. Samaritans took its first call on 2nd November 1953. Its original phone number was MAN 9000. Read more about Samaritans history

  2. 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.

  3. Samaritans has received calls from people as young as 10 and as old as 90 in its 53 year history.

  4. The Samaritans UK number 0845 7909090 has the most complex Calling Plan in the UK.

  5. Since 1984, the organisation has received 61 million contacts in which people felt able to speak.

  6. The biggest branch is Central London, which currently has 398 active volunteers. It is also the oldest branch.

  7. The smallest branch is Stornoway in Scotland, which currently has 12 volunteers.

  8. In addition to its activities in the UK and Republic of Ireland, Samaritans supports information sharing between400 affiliated centres in 39 countries and shares their combined experiences in the international arena. For more information visit www.befrienders.org

  9. The ratio of volunteers to paid staff across the organisation is 236:1.The national average ratio amongst other charities is estimated at 34:1.

  10. Samaritans volunteers cover 582 telephone helplines 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year.

  11. Currently there are 188 Samaritans branches providing the service via email.

  12. Samaritans phone lines are busiest between 9.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m.

  13. Samaritans was the first organisation in the world to develop a 24/7 SMS text messaging service for emotional support

  14. Samaritans branches are spread across the UK and Republic of Ireland, from Truro in the south west of Scotland to Thurso in the north of Scotland, and from Norwich in the east of England to Sligo in the west of Ireland. In addition, there are branches on Isle of Lewis, the Isle of Man, Orkney, Shetland, Isle of Wight, Guernsey and Jersey.

  15. Our 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. Find out more about Festival branch on their website

  16. In 2007, Samaritans trained in the region of 1,600 volunteer listeners (prisoners trained and supported by Samaritans) in approximately 143 prisons across England and Wales. The listeners responded to approximately 100,000 contacts.

  17. Samaritans reaches an estimated 77,000 young people each year through its work in schools.

  18. Since 2003 Samaritans External Training Services have trained almost 4,000 people in handling difficult contacts, enhanced communication skills and tackling stress at work.


More information

If you would like more information about Samaritans, please email stats@samaritans.org or contact the Press Team on +44 (0)20 8394 8300. You can also download the Information Resource Pack 2008