Samaritans Training and Engagement Programmes

We are the leading suicide-prevention charity in the UK. Our incredible volunteers are there, day or night, providing free emotional support for anyone struggling to cope. Our services are not only for the moment of crisis. We are committed to taking action to prevent crisis, we do this by campaigning for better suicide prevention and giving people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others.

For over 70 years, we’ve been training our listening volunteers to provide vital emotional support. Our Samaritans Training and Engagement Programmes (STEP) draws on the expertise gained from our support services to provide training and learning options to organisations across all sectors. Last year, we delivered over 600 workplace training courses, giving more than 6,000 people the skills to support others at work and beyond.*

Prevention and early intervention are key to reducing suicide.

At Samaritans, we believe that everyone can learn the skills to have conversations that can change – and even save – lives. By teaching these vital skills in workplaces and giving more people tools they can use, they will be able to go on and recognise risk factors earlier and provide effective and safe interventions. Our workplace training is underpinned by Samaritans’ extensive research into the background factors and risks for suicide across demographics. It is also informed by the real-life experiences of the people who contact us for help. The core principles of emotional support on which our listening service is based – empathy, non–judgement and self–determination – are embedded throughout our learning content.

*This statistic is from 24/25 financial year.