Leicester Samaritans offers confidential emotional support to anyone in a crisis, who feels distressed or is perhaps thinking of taking his or her own life. This service is entirely dependent on voluntary support. In 2010 we supported almost 41,000 callers. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We give those who call us time and space to express their feelings, to help them to explore their options and perhaps seek a way to face the future.
We listen, we do not judge and we do not offer advice. We are not aligned to any religious or political persuasion.
Our Vision
Samaritans’ vision is of a world in which fewer people die by suicide.
Our Mission
Leicester Samaritans aims to contribute to making this vision a reality by making it our mission to alleviate emotional distress, remove the taboos surrounding emotional health issues and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour by
- being available day and night throughout the year to provide emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of emotional distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide
- reaching out to high risk groups within our local community to reduce the risk of suicide
- working in partnership with local and national organisations and agencies in order to achieve our Vision
- raising public awareness of the prevalence of emotional stress and of the challenges involved in reducing levels of death by suicide
Our Values
We are committed to:
- listening: because exploring feelings alleviates distress and helps people to reach a better understanding of their situation and the options open to them.
- confidentiality: because if people feel safe, they are more likely to be open about their feelings.
- people making their own decisions wherever possible: because we believe that people have the right to find their own solution and telling people what to do takes responsibility away from them.
- being non-judgemental: because we want people to be able to talk to us without fear of prejudice or rejection
- human interaction: because giving people time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair.