Supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday
We will be donating 5% of our sales this week for Brew Monday. We hope that this contribution will go towards making sure that there is always someone there for anyone who is going through a tough time. Every day, Samaritans volunteers respond to around 10,000 calls for help, with no judgement and no pressure. They are there for anyone who needs someone.
Why ‘Brew Monday’?
The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’ but this is a myth. At Samaritans they know there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ – we all have our good days and our bad days, and those aren’t for the calendar to decide.
So, they are encouraging everyone to get together and start a conversation over a brew. No matter the day, or time. Get in touch with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones and check in on them. It shouldn’t be about just one day of the year.
How you can help
- £5 funds a call for help to Samaritans from someone struggling to cope.
- £200 pays for training a new Samaritans volunteer in the skills to help people feel listened to and less alone.
- To give £5 just text BREW to 70450. You will be charged £5, plus one message at your standard network rate. Samaritans will receive 100% of your donation.
Samaritans little tips to help someone
How to spot when something might be wrong:
These are some of the signs that someone may not be okay:
- Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy.
- Finding everyday things overwhelming.
- Not replying to messages, or being distant.
- Avoiding people or seeming quiet.
- Appearing restless or agitated.
- Easily tearful.
- Drinking or using drugs to cope with feelings.
How to open up a conversation:
Don’t be shy to ask how someone’s feeling:
- Choose a good time, and somewhere without distractions.
- Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer.
- ‘How are things? I’ve noticed you don’t seem quite yourself.’
- Listen well. ‘How’s that making you feel?’
- Avoid giving your view of what’s wrong, or what they should do.
How to be a good listener:
Showing you care builds trust to open up:
- Make eye contact and put away your phone.
- Focus completely on the other person.
- Pauses are fine, try not to jump in to fill a silence.
- Say back what you think it is they are wanting you to hear.
- Resist putting your own interpretation on it.
- Don’t give up. Sometimes it can take a few tries!
How to help someone get more help:
If it feels like the person is really struggling to cope:
- ‘Would you like to get some help?’
- ‘Have you tried your GP?’
- ‘Would you like me to come with you?’
- ‘Did you know you don’t have to be feeling suicidal to call Samaritans?’
- ‘Samaritans is free, 24 hours a day if you’re feeling low or worried too.’
- ‘If it helps, you can talk to me any time.’
Contact a Samaritan
If you need someone to talk to, they listen. They won’t judge or tell you what to do.
Call any time, day or night
Whatever you’re going through, you can call any time, from any phone for FREE.
Write an email
Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better.
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Response time: 24 hours.
Write a letter
If you don’t have easy access to a computer or telephone, or just don’t like email or talking on the phone, you can write to them for free here:
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
You can explain your situation in as much detail as you feel comfortable with and they’ll aim to reply within 7 days. A hand-written response that you can keep and refer to.