North London Samaritans

Who we are

North London Samaritans have been based in Bounds Green, London N11 since 1975. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with around 100 volunteers.That means that all the things that keep the service running – managing the rota, routine administration, overseeing branch finances and premises management, recruitment, selection and training, fundraising, keeping the Centre clean and stocked with tea, coffee and biscuits – are carried out by our volunteers. All our costs must be covered by our own fundraising. This is a dynamic and friendly Samaritans branch, with volunteers who are just ordinary people, carefully selected and trained.

In late 2018, we moved into a new, purpose-built Centre in Shaftesbury Hall, Herbert Road, Bounds Green, London N11 which houses both our call centre and a community hall that we also use to host our training sessions.

Every year, this branch alone provides emotional support to more than 10,000 callers, a large proportion of whom are experiencing profound feelings of distress or despair; some are suicidal. People from all walks of life contact us, mostly from across the three London Boroughs of Enfield, Haringey and Barnet, but also from other parts of the UK or overseas.