OUTREACH
Our School Talks Programme
The need to be active in the wider community continues to be an important priority of Samaritans, particularly in the present climate.
Local Education Authorities, headteachers and school governors are becoming more aware of the emotional and pastoral needs of the young people in their care and the need to offer support to their pupils.
The rates of suicide, attempted suicide and self harm continue to rise and every effort must be made to close the gaps in the safety net. Cheltenham Samaritans has a team of speakers who last year gave talks to schools throughout the district. Our volunteers can give talks to pupils, staff and parents. Members of the branch also provided support in schools in which pupils had died tragically.
In many schools, Samaritans talks are becoming an integral part of the school programme of personal & social education. By reaching out in this way the branch hopes to give young people, particularly the vulnerable, the knowledge that there is someone out there who will listen in complete confidence and without prejudice to those who are seeking emotional support.
If you would like to know more about our work in this area, or if you would like to arrange a school talk please email our outreach coordinator or call us on 01242 515777 where one of the Samaritans on duty will arrange for you to be contacted by the outreach coordinator.
Teaching resources for schools
Samaritans DEAL programme (Developing Emotional Awareness and Learning) is a resource for schools, designed to improve the emotional health of 14-16 year olds and develop the skills that young people need to cope with life's challenges.
DEAL can also be used to discuss challenging topics like depression and self-harm in an open and positive way.
