Norwich

Every day, Norwich Samaritans is here for people facing some of life's most difficult moments.

From our branch in the heart of Norwich, more than 240 volunteers provide emotional support to thousands of people each year across Norfolk and beyond.

Together, we give our time, compassion and skills to ensure that nobody has to face their struggles alone.

In 2025, Norwich Samaritans volunteers responded to 36,257 calls for help, this included:

• Over 31,000 telephone calls
• More than 2,100 emails
• Around 2,600 online chat contacts

Our listening volunteers spent 8,374 hours on the phone during 2025, an average of 697 hours every month supporting people experiencing distress, loneliness and crisis.

Who We Are Today

Norwich Samaritans is much more than a listening service. Alongside answering calls, face to face, and online chats, our volunteers work in schools, prisons, workplaces and communities across Norfolk, helping people develop the skills and confidence to support one another.

We also operate three charity shops, raise funds locally, and work with partners across the region to promote emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. Every aspect of our work is made possible by volunteers and the support of our local community

Get Involved & Volunteer with Norwich Samaritans

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're interested in listening to those in emotional distress or supporting the branch through outreach, fundraising, administration or retail, your time and skills can help us reach more people who need support.

Explore our volunteer opportunities

Making a Difference Across Norfolk

Our volunteers support people in many different ways:

• Delivering emotional support 24 hours a day through Samaritans' listening services
• Training prisoners at HMP Norwich and HMP Bure to support fellow prisoners
• Our Outreach team are working with schools, colleges and employers to encourage better emotional health
• Running community events and awareness campaigns
• Operating three charity shops that help fund our life-saving work
• Raising money to keep the branch open with regular fundraising activities.

We are proud to be a visible and active part of our local community and are always looking for new opportunities to collaborate with organisations across Norfolk.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, Norwich Samaritans launched a new three-year strategy shaped by the views of our volunteers, stakeholders and supporters. The strategy sets out our commitment to strengthening our listening service, supporting and developing volunteers, increasing our community impact and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the branch.

We are excited about the future and look forward to working with our volunteers, supporters and partners to deliver these ambitions.

Read our 2026-29 Strategy

Our privacy statement

At Samaritans, privacy is at the heart of what we do. We are committed to protecting your privacy and the personal information that we hold. Read our privacy statement here.