Our aim is to have a sustainable, viable outward facing Branch which is truly embedded in our community.
The sad reality is that the suicide rates in Derby and Derbyshire are higher than the national average. We know from our calls people are finding life incredibly hard. It’s vital we work beyond delivering a listening service and engage with our community, including businesses so we promote a greater understanding of suicide and that it is preventable.
Derby Branch plays an active role in the local community; reaching out to those who need us so that people know who we are, what we do and how to contact us. Our outreach activity also helps us to generate much-needed funds and to recruit new volunteers.
Events in the Community
We're proud to attend Freshers Fairs at Derby College and University.
Derby Samaritans at Derby College Freshers Fair, Roundhouse site
Prisoner support
Our Prison Team trains prisoners at HMP Foston Hall and HMP Sudbury to become Listeners, so that they can offer peer support to fellow prisoners to help reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm. Our volunteers meet regularly with the Prison Listeners so they can offload and discuss any concerns, and provide them with the support they need to provide their valuable service.
Find out more about our award-winning Listener Scheme.
Local businesses, colleges, community groups and events
Derby Samaritans is proud to be a Marketing Derby bondholder. We work with local employers, colleges, Derby University, and community groups running talks and presentations on the importance of emotional health and wellbeing, how to be a better listener, the support Derby Samaritans provides, and information about how to get involved as a volunteer or a fundraiser with our branch.
We also support local events with our volunteers on hand to provide information about Samaritans and our branch.
If you work for an organisation or run a group and would like us to come and talk to your employees or students or members, or have an event coming up where we might be able to have a stand please email us at [email protected]
Baggy Shanker Derby South MP joins Stephanie Taylor, Derby Director & Listening Volunteers at Derby Station for Small Talk Saves Lives
Network Rail
Samaritans has a formal partnership with Network Rail with the aim of preventing rail suicides and supporting those affected by them. If you travel by train, you’ll have seen Samaritans posters at stations locally and nationwide.
This partnership includes supporting Derby Station and East Midlands Railway. We partner awareness events, respond to incidents and offer a regular presence at the station to raise awareness among the general public. Do come and say hello if you see us there!
Samaritans of Derby and District, a charity registered in England (1174130). Samaritans of Derby and District is a recognised branch of Samaritans.