24/07/2025
Today is National Samaritans Day. A Moment to Pause, Remember, and Reach Out
Today, July 24th, is National Samaritans Day. It’s not a holiday marked by grand parades or commercial sales , it’s quieter than that. And maybe that’s what makes it so powerful.
This day honours the life and legacy of Chad Varah, the founder of Samaritans, who believed, simply and profoundly, that listening without judgment can save lives. It’s a day to reflect on kindness and not performative or loud, but the kind that stays long after words fade.
Samaritans began with one man who answered a phone, listened without interrupting, and helped people feel less alone in the darkest moments of their lives. And all these years later, that mission hasn’t changed: to be there for anyone who needs someone. No qualifications. No pressure. Just compassion.
For many, National Samaritans Day can be tender, even painful. It reminds us of loved ones we’ve lost, of moments we struggled in silence, of times we wished someone had just asked, “Are you okay?” It’s also a reminder that reaching out , whether to ask for help or to offer it , is an act of strength.
If you’ve ever picked up the phone and called Samaritans, or sat with a friend through their storm, or simply sent a message that said, “I’m here”, you’ve been part of this day’s meaning. You’ve practiced the kind of quiet bravery that holds our communities together.
Sometimes, kindness is making tea and sitting in silence. Sometimes it’s saying “I don’t have the answers, but I’ll stay with you while you figure them out.” Sometimes it’s just staying alive for someone else, one more day.
Today, we honour all those who’ve reached out in their pain and all those who’ve answered.
If you’re struggling, please know that there is always someone willing to listen. You are not alone. And if you’re doing okay today, maybe consider sending a message to someone just to say you're thinking of them. You never know what it might mean.
Let today be a gentle reminder: kindness doesn't need a reason. Listening doesn’t need a solution. And love, in its simplest form, might just be showing up.
To anyone reading this who needs to hear it: you matter. Please take care of yourself today. The world is better with you in it.
If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans are available 24/7 at 116 123, or by visiting www.samaritans.org.
Love Zoe x
