The Samaritans Welsh Language support line now open 7 days/ 49 hours a week

SURREY, 03-Aug-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Samaritans are promoting the extended opening hours for their Welsh Language Line at this years National Eisteddfod, as they increase the level of support available to Welsh speakers.  The Samaritans Welsh Language support line had previously been open 28 hours a week but has now been increased to 49 hours.

The dedicated Welsh Language line was first set up in 2010 in order to help Welsh speakers who needed emotional support. With an increase in the demand for the service, Samaritans volunteers have worked to increase the level of support. This Eisteddfod marks an important year for the Welsh Language Line, which will now be open 7 days a week for a total of 49 hours.

Samaritans have also announced their new Welsh Language correspondence service, in which anyone who needs emotional support in Welsh can send a Freepost letter. Writing a letter can be a more personal, thought-provoking way for you to get your feelings across and Samaritans want Welsh speakers to have this same opportunity.

Volunteers from six different branches will be at the 2018 Eisteddfod on stand 307 to promote Samaritans Welsh Language Service. They will also be handing out information on Samaritans emotional support and volunteering.

Margaret Jones, Chair of the Samaritans Welsh Language Sub Committee said –

“This is fantastic progress for our Welsh Language Support Service and is testament to the hard work of our volunteers. We know that accessing emotional support in your first language is crucial and we hope promotion of the line and our letter writing service will encourage more welsh speakers to get in touch.

We also hope promotion of the service at this years Eisteddfod will help attract new Welsh-speaking volunteers. It is vital that we sustain the service and we always need more help”

In order to continue supporting Welsh speakers, Samaritans are also searching for new volunteers.

As a Welsh or English only speaker, there are many ways you can support Samaritans as a volunteer in Wales. Samaritans are known for the support they offer their callers on the phone but they also offer support by email, face to face and through letters. Helping Samaritans in this way is known as being a listening volunteer. However, you don’t have to be a listening volunteer and you can support them in many other ways which can include marketing, fundraising, outreach or a variety of administrative roles.

You can make an amazing difference at Samaritans helping to support people when they need someone to talk to or they are going through a difficult time in their life. Samaritans welcome and value every volunteer, from all walks of life.

To find out more about volunteering at one of Samaritans ten locations across Wales, please email volunteering.wales@samaritans.org or call 02922 406305

ENDS

• For further information, or to request an interview, please contact Emma Harris, Policy and Communications Officer on e.harris@samaritans.org or 07703 199393 / 029 2022 2008

Note to Editors:

• Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, to listen and offer confidential support when things are getting to you.

• Please call 116 123 (this number is FREE and will not show up on your phone bill)
• Please call the Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (Please visit www.samaritans.org/wales for opening times)
• You can also email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org/branches  to find details of the nearest branch for face to face support.

SOURCE: Samaritans