WELCOME to Samaritans of Lewisham Greenwich and Southwark.

Our branch opened in 1969, serving the boroughs of Lewisham Southwark and Greenwich, since then we have seen an increase in contacts, and also in the number of Volunteers from the 3 boroughs. We currently have over 80 volunteers, it would be great to have more.

Based in a busy multicultural area, between New Cross and New Cross Gate Stations, just round the corner from Goldsmiths, we are situated in the heart of the community.

Towards the end of 2005 we received the exciting news that Lewisham Council, which owns the building, had agreed a 30-year rent free lease, giving us the security to plan for the future. We do however have to improve the building, which is in desperate need of repair and modernisation, to allow us to continue offering our service, to the community. We need to provide disabled access, training rooms, visitor areas, etc, the cost of all of this will be in the region of £400,000.00, which we have to raise to make it possible to stay here in Lewisham.

This is of course in addition to taking in excess of 15,000 calls per year, providing confidential and non-judgemental emotional support to anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.