The Big Listen ~ Tuesday 24-7-2018 ~ St Anne’s Cathedral.
Volunteers from Samaritans’ local branch in Belfast are asking people to listen this summer by supporting The Big Listen on 24th July in St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
It’s all part of a nationwide push called The Big Listen. It’s aim is to raise funds for Samaritans and show how really listening to another person can be the first step to saving a life.
The Cathedral want to raise awareness of the plight of the many homeless people who sleep on the street close to the building. They also want to signpost Samaritans as a support charity which can provide much needed emotional support to those in need throughout the day on the 24th July.
The Big Listen activity across the UK and Ireland, will culminate in a marathon 24-hour event kicking off at midday on 24th July (24-7) – chosen to reflect the availability of Samaritans’ 24-hour emotional support services.
St Anne’s Cathedral Events and Marketing Officer, Holly Wilson said:
“We realise that for many people living homeless on our streets, life can be difficult and having someone to talk to is very important if you are struggling with your feelings. So the Cathedral would like to step up and help in any way that we can. Our idea is that on the day of the Big Listen event any money the Cathedral makes from admission fees or donations will be donated to Samaritans.
Even just in baking and bringing buns, juice, and coffee – just again to make it a little more appealing and give people a reason to call in. We would also like to start attaching ‘Messages of Hope’ along the railings of the Cathedral, similar to those that run along the Foyle Bridge.”
Alan Heron from Samaritans branch in Belfast says:
“It’s thought that as many as 1 in 5 people have thought about taking their own life at some point. When people feel like that, they need to be able to talk about it, which means they need people to listen.
As Samaritans volunteers, we know how much listening to someone at a really low point can help them feel less alone, more able to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, and give them the time and space to reflect and move on.”
Visit St Anne’s Cathedral on 24th July and help them support the work of Samaritans through The Big Listen event.
Funds raised by The Big Listen will help Samaritans keep its services free for anyone who needs them. It will also help to recruit, train and support volunteers across the Irish region.
Anyone can back The Big Listen by making a donation, learning more about listening and planning their own fundraising events. Find out more on the Samaritans website here.
You can follow #TheBigListen @samaritans on Twitter also on Instagram or Samaritans’ Facebook page.
For more information on this event please contact Alan Heron, Regional Marketing Officer, NI on 07715857398. Or, Holly Wilson, St Anne’s Cathedral Events and Marketing Officer on tel no: 028 9032 8332 (Mon-Friday, 9am- 5pm) or mobile 07518158860.
