Workshop A
Being a Samaritan – Our Culture
Led by Hayley Peters
An overview of the ‘Being a Samaritan’ project, the current perception of our culture, and why and what needs to change.
Saturday 31 October 2026
Conference agenda
Listening in a Changing World
The next chapter of our shared future
Download original agenda (PDF)Why we’re here
Conference aims
- To increase volunteer engagement by providing an opportunity for volunteers to connect with others from across the North West Region.
- To develop understanding of the critical importance of the need for Samaritans to change and develop as an organisation to maintain future relevance to callers and long-term sustainability of the service.
Programme
Saturday 31 OctoberEach workshop repeats four times. The four numbered positions below reproduce the columns in the supplied agenda.
- 09:00
Tea and coffee on arrival – meet and greet
- 09:30–09:40
- 09:40–10:40
In Conversation with Julie
- What makes Samaritans successful and unique
- Our current challenges and how we ensure the future relevance of Samaritans
- What the future vision of Samaritans looks like in 2030 and beyond
- Questions and answers – 20 minutes
- 10:40–11:00
Break – tea and coffee
- 11:00–11:45
Workshop rotation
- 11:50–12:35
Workshop rotation
- 12:35–13:20
Buffet lunch – restaurant
- 13:25–14:10
Workshop rotation
- 14:15–15:00
Workshop rotation
- 15:00–15:20
Break – tea and coffee
- 15:20–16:45
Self-Harm
- Gain awareness of the current prevalence of self-harm, the contributing factors and how we may work towards supporting someone who self-harms.
- 16:45–17:00
Questions, summary and close
- Final questions to the panel
- Highlight key points
- Sharing the message with others in your branch
- 17:00
Close
Workshop topics
Workshop B
The Home Listening Service
Led by Gilli Seymour
An overview of the home listening service and insights so far, why this work is important and how it will be evaluated.
Workshop C
Ensuring the Quality of Our Service
Led by Jude Richardson
Why managing the quality of the service matters and how the quality hub is structured to support this.
Workshop D
Pathfinder Branches – Testing New Ways of Working
Led by Tracey Thompson
The importance of the Future Proofing work and how pathfinder branches are testing new ways of working to enable a more efficient and effective service.