Print page

Portraits of people at breaking point

About the campaign

A series of moving ‘Portrait’ films were produced to distribute across the internet, to demonstrate the range of callers and issues our volunteers have to respond to every day.

The ‘Portrait’ films were part of Lisa’s Story, a campaign leading with a 60 second fundraising advert, premiering on digital freeview channels, including ITV2 and More 4 on 16 November 2009.

Made in a stark and minimal Andy Warhol style, the ‘Portrait’ films feature three actors slowly showing a disintegration of their emotions and these will act as a viral element to promote the TV advert. The campaign will be supported by some press, radio and outdoor advertising.

As all calls to Samaritans are treated in the strictest confidence, the callers’ stories were brought to life by actors. However, Samaritans wanted to ensure the portrayal of the callers experience was as accurate as possible.

Help us be there when they’re ready to talk

Every 6 seconds someone contacts Samaritans.

This campaign was created to raise the essential funds we need to keep our phone lines open – and to recruit and train the thousands of volunteers we need so we can continue to answer every call.

Whatever they’re going through, it is vital that we are ready to answer their cry for help. That’s why our lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

But we need your help to keep those phone lines open, by recruiting and training the volunteers we need. Please donate today, so we can continue to answer every call, whenever we are needed. Thank you.

Every month, I would like to donate:

£10 to train a volunteer
£5 to answer 19 emails
£3 to respond to one call

£10 £5 £3

Other£

Or give a one-off donation

Or call our donation hotline on 0800 044 5588

Portraits of people at breaking point


Portrait of abuse remembered:
Portrait of defeat:
Portrait of a man on the edge:

Tell us your story

If you have contacted Samaritans in the past and our service has helped you, then we’d be very grateful if you could tell us your story. Find out more about helping Samaritans.