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About Lisa's Story

Everyone knows Samaritans is there for people in distress and despair, whenever they need to talk.

But what may come as a surprise is that we are the only charity offering this vital service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And few know that to provide this lifeline we rely almost entirely on voluntary funds from people just like you.

It takes so much courage to call Samaritans. Our fundraising film ‘Lisa’s Story’ shows that when someone finally makes that call, we must be there to answer.

Or call our donation hotline on
0800 044 5588

Lisa’s Story, a 60 second fundraising advert was created to raise the essential funds we need to keep our phone lines open and to recruit and train the thousands of volunteers needed to answer every call, whenever we are needed.

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.

To achieve this, a young documentary director, Debbie Anzalone, was commissioned as her experience in bringing to life on screen the emotions behind a human story brought a truth and integrity to the finished films that was both unsettling and moving.

Actor and Samaritans supporter, Janet Dibley provided the voiceover for the fund raising commercial free of charge.

Samaritans would like to express their gratitude to Janet, as well as the professionals involved in the making of the fundraising advert and ‘Portrait’ films who gave their time and expertise for free, or for a significant discount. Special thanks go to Emelia Clarke for her sensitive and poignant portrayal of Lisa.

Click here to view images of the production of Lisa's Story

Portraits of people at breaking point

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.


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

Find out more about the Portrait campaign

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.