Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Samaritans

Monday 2nd November 2009 marks the 56th anniversary of the founding of Samaritans by Dr Chad Varah and on the same day it will be the 45th anniversary of the 56th branch of Samaritans - The Samaritans of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District.

Since November 1964 we have 'been there' day and night to provide confidential emotional support to distressed and despairing people in North East Lincolnshire and the need for our service has not diminished in all those years. We continue to provide a safe place for people to share their innermost thoughts and feelings and in the months ahead we hope to increase publicity and awareness so more people who need us will feel able to get in touch.

Do you need a speaker for a talk?

Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Samaritans can provide speakers who will give an interesting and informative talk about our organisation and the work we do.

We can also offer a more specialised talk about suicide, the exploration of feelings and share useful information about emotional health promotion.

Please contact us for more information.

Write to:

Samaritans, 55 Alexandra Road, Grimsby, DN31 1RD

Telephone: 01472 240077
E-mail: grimsbysams@tiscali.co.uk

Grimsby Samaritans had a stand in Freshney Place shopping centre all day on Friday 24th July.

Our volunteers fundraised and provided information about our service and volunteering for Samaritans.

People call us day and night (24:7) when they have "allsorts" going on in their lives and "allsorts" was our chosen theme for 24:7. Our volunteers gave out liquorice allsorts to people who visited our stand in Freshney Place on Friday 24th July.

We also had a large display in the foyer of Grimsby Central Library and our banner was displayed on the balcony of Grimsby Town Hall.

Radio ad's on North East Lincolnshire radio station, 96.4 Compass FM, promoted the event.

To make an individual donation to 'Grimsby Samaritans' for 24:7 please send cheques to:

Grimsby Samaritans are delighted to announce the support of a new branch patron. Award winning singer, songwriter and actress of stage and screen Barbara Dickson OBE has kindly agreed to become patron of her local branch in Grimsby.

Grimsby Samaritans have reopened their fundraising charity shop at 57 Alexandra Road, Grimsby.

Volunteers required to help run the shop with a view to extending the opening times.

To apply, telephone 01472 240077
(Monday or Wednesday after 1pm)
or write to the Grimsby branch.

Grimsby Cleethorpes & District Samaritans need to raise at least twenty thousand pounds each year to cover our operating costs. You can help us meet this target by simply using our webshop. All of the retailers listed donate a percentage of the sale back to Grimsby Cleethorpes & District Samaritans, and best of all, it doesn't cost you a penny more!

The purpose of the recruitment days is to allow potential volunteers to find out what it is like to become a Samaritan, and for the branch to select people who it thinks have the potential to become Samaritans.

The recruitment process is made as interesting and informal as possible, and there are opportunities for potential volunteers to ask as many questions as they wish. Sadly, not everyone who applies becomes a listening volunteer. Sometimes, we think you may be too close to troubles of your own, or that Samaritans work may hit on a sore spot. Also, potential volunteers sometimes find that the work may be too distressing for them, or may be unable to fit into the shift system due to family or work commitments.

If the volunteer is accepted, and accepts us, then they are invited to attend a series of training classes, held over several evenings plus one full day on a weekend. In these, they are shown how we are able to help our callers, and lifelike situations are often acted out and discussed. This isn't always easy, and can often be challenging, but is very worthwhile and prepares the volunteer for work within the branch. Once the training classes are finished, the volunteer then works with an assigned experienced volunteer, known as mentoring, and is helped and supported every step of the way. That support is continued beyond training and mentoring, and is an important part of the structure of the branch. No volunteer, however experienced, is ever alone.

For up to date information, please contact the branch on our recruitment line number, 01472 240077, and a member of the recruitment team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Sometimes, people feel that they are unable to become a listening volunteer, but would like to help in other ways. People are always needed to help with things like fundraising, shop work, etc, so if anyone would like to to help in any other capacity, please don't hesitate to contact the branch.

	Registered charity: 519765 call us : 01472 353111 (branch) call us: 08457 909090 (UK) email us: jo@samaritans.org
Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Samaritans