Hannah and Paula spent part of Christmas day taking calls to the Samaritans helpline and answering emails from those in need. Here's what they said.
Christmas can be an especially lonely or difficult time of year for many people, and all our volunteers wanted to make sure that everyone has someone they can speak to.
Paula said "I volunteer to listen to our callers and I was glad to be there for people who were struggling over Christmas as I know what that’s like. It can be very lonely when you're struggling with something", and added "If I can help anyone through difficult times then that’s reward enough for me".
Hannah said “There can be a lot of pressure for Christmas to be a really fun time or a really social time, doing a shift on Christmas is a way of making the day meaningful in a different way.”
Paula and Hannah added they both enjoy talking to people no matter their problems are, and they hoped that all the Samaritans volunteers there for callers on Christmas Day helped with whatever they're feeling.
Manchester & Salford Samaritans have over 170 listening volunteers who answer phone calls, emails and online chat every day of the year.
