We are developing a range of opportunities for people with lived experience to be involved in the work that we do.
This could involve working alongside us on specific projects, joining an advisory group, or becoming a Board Member.
If you have experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm or you’ve lost someone to suicide, we’d like your help to shape the work we do.
Current Lived Experience Opportunities
Are you interested in helping Samaritans evaluate its Online Chat service?
Samaritans’ Online Chat pilot service makes it possible to chat with a trained Samaritan online, in real time. Sometimes typing can be more comfortable than talking; sometimes talking on the phone just isn’t an option.
What: Samaritans have partnered with The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations and Habitus Collective to evaluate our Online Chat pilot service. Peer researchers, who have lived experience, have been recruited to work with the research team. They will facilitate online focus groups to gather feedback on the service. This approach ensures that the voices of those with lived experience of suicide are integral to improving the Online Chat. The focus group is designed to allow you to share your thoughts in a way which feels comfortable for you. You will not have to answer anything you are not comfortable talking about.
There are two options to participate in the opportunity we are recruiting for.
- If you’re over 18, you can join Samaritans’ Lived Experience Panel, where you will have the opportunity to support us with this evaluation via a survey and/or focus group, and various other studies in the future.
- Or, you can participate in this evaluation as part of a one-off opportunity by attending a focus group without having to become a member of Samaritans’ Lived Experience Panel.
Option 2 is open to adults and 11–17-year-olds, anyone under 17 will be in a session with other young people.
Why: You will be helping Samaritans understand the impact of the service and what outcomes are experienced by the people who use it, particularly for children and young people – the findings will inform any necessary improvements we need to make.
Remuneration: £25 Love2Shop voucher as a thank you for your time.
Who: We are looking for a diverse range of people who have experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and/or have lost someone to suicide, and have used Samaritans’ Online Chat service.
We are especially keen to speak to young people aged 18 – 24, but anyone 11 or over can express an interest. If you have not used Samaritans’ Online Chat service but have used a similar service, we’d also be interested in speaking to you.
Where:
- Over 18s – online (Zoom), though you must be based in the UK.
- Under 18s – a location in Central London.
When: Focus groups will take place between 9th December 2024 - 11th January and last 90 min.
How:
Option 1. If you’re over 18, interested in joining our Lived Experience Panel and completing the survey and/or focus group, and the opportunity for other studies in the future, please complete the panel sign up form.
Option 2. If you’re only interested in the one-off opportunity to support the evaluation of our Online Chat pilot service, complete our expression of interest form.
Deadline: 10am on 16th December 2024
NB: If you are selected you will receive information from The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, participants will be selected on an ongoing basis so you may receive an invite before or after the deadline.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]
During 2024 people with lived experience influenced our Online Harms campaign, sat on our Research Ethics Board, joined interview panels and have been co-designing our first ever Lived experience Strategic plan.
When you take part, you’ll have the opportunity to influence Samaritans work first hand, learn new skills, connect with like minded people and support our mission to ensure fewer people die by suicide.
We will promote all current opportunities on this web page, if you can’t see anything it means we’re working on new projects. Check back soon as opportunities are added whenever possible.
We take data protection seriously, we will always explain how we will use and store your data for each opportunity.
You can read our organisational privacy statements here
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