Press Release: Ainsley Harriott joins fellow Samaritans supporters on Stress Down Friday

Date: Thursday 22nd January 2009   
Contact: Claire Duncan 
Phone:  +44 (0)20 8394 8345  
Email: c.duncan@samaritans.org
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162 
 
Employees nationwide will be wearing slippers to work and switching off their emails on Friday 6th February in support of Samaritans’ national fundraising initiative, Stress Down Day.

Workers will be making donations to take part in chill out activities in the office, such as swapping slippers for stilettos, selling detoxing smoothies and creating relaxation zones that people can hire throughout the day, to generate funds to maintain Samaritans’ 24-hour emotional support service, more vital than ever in these troubled times.

Alongside Ruby Wax, The Hoosiers and Graham Norton, Ainsley Harriott is supporting the campaign. Ainsley said: “Stress is something that more and more people are experiencing these days, being pushed to unbelievable levels in their work, often with detrimental consequences, especially in the current economic climate.

“I am supporting Stress Down Day because it is a simple and engaging way for employers and employees to raise awareness of increasing stress levels in the workplace whilst raising funds for Samaritans. “

“Samaritans is a brilliant service and has been around for such a long time that it is one of those SOS services; an organisation where you think, ‘I am at the end of my tether, I can give them a call and there will be someone there to help me’. To have someone really listen to you without having an opinion or being judgmental is a wonderful thing.”

“If you are feeling the strain, try to be aware of what your stress triggers are and take time out to do things that make you feel good. We all have different levels of what we can deal with and it is so important to talk to someone about how you are feeling, to turn things around in your head and start to deal with problems.”

To find out more about activities taking place on the day and to buy Samaritans limited edition monster slippers log on to www.stressdownday.org.

Companies involved in the day include: Allianz, The On Site Massage Company Ltd, Balance Me, Nationwide, The Organic Pharmacy and Westfield The Friary Shopping Centre.

For information about coping with stress and signs to look out for that family, friends or colleagues may not be coping emotionally please visit: www.stressdownday.org/stressworkplace.php.

-ends-

It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,800 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. 

Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information.

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