Kingston Samaritans is based in St Andrews Road, Surbiton. There are over 100 volunteers, taking turns to provide a 24-hour listening service for people in distress or despair.
The highly trained volunteers at Samaritans do not give advice. Instead, they help people to sort out their own problems and come up with their own solutions. They don’t judge, the service is confidential and they are always supportive.
There are many different ways to contact Samaritans; by text, e-mail, phone-call or visit to your local branch.
Currently, Kingston Samaritans are in partnership with Network Rail working on an exciting new project. Surbiton is one of the pilot stations in the Suicide Reduction Scheme.
Over 200 people commit suicide on the railway every year (mostly men). The deaths of these people are not only a tragedy for their families, but also for the train drivers and any witnesses. The vast majority of train drivers never return to work because of their traumatic experiences.
Both Network Rail and Samaritans wanted to work together to find a way to reach out to these people. All the staff at Surbiton Station have been trained to prevent potential suicides and the staff are now also aware how to help the drivers involved.
If you travel through Surbiton Station, take the time to look out for the Samaritans posters; the image is of a boxer, and the headline reads ‘Samaritans helped me find my Strength’.
