Download document: Samaritans Scotland Impact Summer 2023
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Our Summer 2023 update showcases what the Samaritans Scotland team and our volunteers have been up to over the last three months to help ensure fewer people die by suicide in Scotland.
What have we been up to in summer 2023?
Balgone Estate
Balgone Estate in East Lothian opened a large sunflower trail across the month of August allowing visitors to pick their own flowers – with 10p from each one sold being donated to Samaritans.
The estate raised a grand total of £6250 for the charity and provided great awareness raising of our services in the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day.
The team at Samaritans Scotland would like to give a big thank you to everyone involved at Balgone Estate for this fantastic fundraiser!
Lead Partner in Suicide Prevention Scotland
We have been appointed a lead partner in Suicide Prevention Scotland, a new initiative in delivery of Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan for 2022-2025.
We will lead on Outcome 1, which will focus on the environment we live in and aim to encourage a whole society approach to address the social determinants with the greatest link to suicide risk.
Branch Spotlight
Our Glasgow Branch have been very active over the summer with several different outreach events. Volunteers were at TRSNMT music festival at Glasgow Green all weekend, offering support to festival goers and sharing signposting materials.
The branch also hosted a visit from Paul Sweeney MSP, Shadow Minister for Mental Health at Holyrood, and Dr Rosena-Allin Khan MP, former Shadow Minister for Mental Health at Westminster, to discuss how representatives across the UK can work together to ensure fewer lives are lost to suicide.
Network Rail Partnership
Our partnership with Network Rail has allowed several ‘Pop-Up’ events to take place at stations across Scotland, including Edinburgh Waverley & Glasgow Central.
Glasgow volunteers have supported the ‘Pop On, Pop Off’ initiative, which works in partnership with ScotRail, to provide emotional support and provide signposting materials to commuters.
West Highlands & Skye Project
Our team has been out and about in the West Highlands over the summer at local Highland Games, Lochaber Agricultural Show and Oban Pride. This has been a great way to engage with local communities and raise awareness of the project and Samaritans services.
The project has also provided delivery of the ‘Conversations with Vulnerable People’ training which has helped to build knowledge and confidence within a range of employers throughout the area.
Summer Impact Update 2023 Infographic
Download a copy of our Summer Impact Update Infographic 👇
