You can call our free helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To speak to a trained Samaritans volunteer, call us free, day or night, on 116 123. We’re here to listen without judgement or pressure. If you’re finding things tough, you don’t have to face it alone.
For more information on the closure of our letter writing service - when it will happen, why we've made the decision and other sources of support - please see below.
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When is Samaritans closing its letter writing service?
We’re closing our letter writing service in the UK in August 2026. We will be removing the address from our website and materials and asking other organisations to stop advertising it.
What if I'm currently using the letter writing service?
If you're currently using the letter writing service, you can continue to write to us until July 2026. Our volunteers will continue to support you and can tell you about other organisations that may be able to support you in the future.
The letter writing service will permanently close in August 2026. If you write to us and we receive your letter after August 2026, we'll no longer be able to reply to your letter.
Why is Samaritans closing its letter writing service?
We need to focus on providing immediate support to anyone in crisis through our 24-hour telephone helpline. We also want to extend the opening hours of our online chat service, which is in high demand but is currently only available during limited hours.
The decision to close the letter writing service was not taken lightly and we know that for many, the service has provided hope and a listening ear in difficult times. But the way people communicate is changing and we want to make sure our services are fit for today’s world and the future. When someone is in crisis, we cannot provide immediate support by letter, but through phone and online chat we can be there for someone in the moment they need us most.
That’s why we're focusing on providing our 24/7 telephone helpline and expanding our online chat service – because these services offer immediate support from trained Samaritans volunteers.
Are there other organisations that can support me?
We have a list of other organisations that can offer support, with information about the type of support they offer, who they can support and when they are open:
You can also visit Hub of Hope to find other services that can support you.
How can I speak to a trained Samaritans volunteer?
Find out what to expect when you call Samaritans, in this short video:
Samaritans volunteers are always here to listen. You can call us free, day or night, on 116 123. Our trained volunteers are here to listen without judgement or pressure. If you’re finding things tough, you don’t have to face it alone.
We won’t judge you or tell you what to do, we’ll listen.