Samaritans believe that by providing the opportunity to talk about feelings in a confidential and non-judgemental environment they can help deal with the effects of distress and despair. 

We never work alone in the Samaritans Centre and we have our own support mechanisms for dealing with any situation that we may ourselves find difficult.

There are many things that we do not do as Samaritans volunteers - we do not give advice, preferring instead to give a caller space and time to try and arrive at their own conclusions; we do not try to persuade callers against suicide although our vision is for a society that has less suicide and our belief is that by offering a listening ear in the way that we do, we may help relieve suicidal feelings in the person that contacts us;  we do not report anyone or anything to police, ambulance or any other authority; we do not offer practical help in the form of money or other practical services. We never, ever,  talk about confidential matters outside of the Branch.

On a routine basis we attend the Centre for a night shift. Edinburgh and Lothians Samaritans prides itself on being a 24 hour branch and is available during those early hours when other avenues of help and support are quite restricted.

Many of us undertake other activities such as giving school talks, working in prisons or in carrying out administrative activities.

Then there is the regular ongoing training that we all undertake from time to time. This might include regional events that are organised in conjunction with other Scottish Samaritans Branches or even attending the annual UK Samaritans conference usually held in York and attended by hundreds of Samaritan volunteers.