Hello everyone, I’m Sam. I’m one of a small team of people that work on the Support Line providing direct support and information to our callers.
I have worked for the charity for over two years and I truly enjoy supporting people that need us over the phone or online. If you would like to reach out to me, to talk about your situation, to gather any information or to simply chit chat and ask me some questions then feel free to go ahead and introduce yourself! I would love to hear from you.
It’s important to know that you’re not alone and if you’re thinking about reaching out today, then please do – I guarantee that there will be others like yourself who may be in a similar situation, possibly hesitant to reach out too and share how they’re feeling. If you’re comfortable to do so, then why not take the first step? After all, our online community is here with the intention to offer some comfort to those that would like a little bit of friendly online based peer support, so please don’t be afraid to get involved.
Hello Sam. My brother died last week from terminal cancer. The circumstances of his death were somewhat unusual, and so whilst my sister and I could prepare in some ways for his death, what happened has in some ways left my sister i. particular in a vulnerable state. What is worse is that my sister lives in Tuscany and though has the support of her husband and children, in other ways does not have the all the support available to me in the UK. I’ve been trained as a counsellor in the past and am a mental health first aide, I can’t provide the kind of support that my sister needs. Other than online, is there any english language support in Italy that she could get?
I’m so sorry to read that your brother died just last week and that you feel your sister is in a particularly vulnerable state in Tuscany. Whilst we aren’t trained counsellors on our Support Line, we are here to offer emotional support and a listening ear to anyone that needs to talk. If you feel this would be helpful, your sister is more than welcome to get in touch with us on our International number which is (+44)1204 449284. She would need to look at the call charges this would incur and call within our opening hours which are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and on a Saturday 11am to 5pm (GMT).
People often tell us that talking to someone can be beneficial and whilst we are available to talk to over the phone, we also have a live web chat service that yourself or your sister could use to talk to us directly in real time. To read more about our online chat service, or to get in touch using this then please visit our web page here: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/marie-curie-support-line/using-online-chat .
Our online community is available to access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People often tell us that reaching out to others that a may be in a similar experience can be comforting so if you feel it appropriate to mention our community to your sister then please do.
Whilst we unfortunately don’t hold information about support services that may be available outside of the UK, I am aware that there is a Samaritans helpline available to access in Italy that she may find helpful.
Samaritans offer a safe place to talk whatever the situation and your sister can get in touch with them to get support between the hours of 1pm and 10pm daily on Freephone 800 860 022 (from a landline) or 06 77 208 977 (from a mobile). They are available to talk in both Italian and English. You can read more about their service here: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/how-our-service-helps/other-sources-help/outside-uk-or-ireland
I hope this information will be of use to you and your sister.
I just want to ask what do you suggest when someone feels alone and lonely? I am doing my best to get out there and join clubs and feel very proud of myself today as I managed to go out for lunch and to the cinema by myself for the first time but I felt so alone.
I am normally very shy and find it hard to talk to others and my hubby was always my friendly talker.
Hi Sam I am 59 and I lost my hubby in June, Thank you for your comments although i have lots of family and friends I feel more comfortable talking to this forum where everyone understands what I am going through. I will try cruise as it’s been suggested before Thank you.
Thank you for getting back in touch and for sharing your age with me. I am really pleased to know that you have people you can reach out too and that you feel comfortable chatting on this forum.
Something I would like to make you aware of The Silver Line Charity. They provide a free, confidential helpline that offers friendship and advice to older people 24 hours a day, every single day of the year. From friendship calls, to friendship letters they offer a range of support services to help combat loneliness. You can reach them by calling 0800 4 70 80 90, or visit their website to find out more here: https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/what-we-do/our-helpline/
I really hope that this information will be useful to you but Carol, but if you would just like to talk to me about anything at all then please don’t hesitate to send me another message.
Thankyou Sam for the silver line help I may try them out as well as cruise.
I am trying to build friends through local groups line dancing, zumba class and knit and stitch so far and I have been invited to rockchoir to go with a friend. Finding it helpful getting out there before the long winter evenings start and I do understand when you said if I want to rather than feeling I must. Friends and family keep telling me not to overdo it but I am still enjoying myself. I did walk out in tears on one class when I felt very alone so I have learnt from that and not going back there.
Carol50, it is lovely to read about the activities you do and that you find joy in these. It is important to recognise what is helping and what isn’t and to then take an appropriate action. I am hoping that this forum is also providing you with support and comfort and we are here to listen and chat even during those long winter days which are no doubt approaching.
I just wanted to send another message to say hello to any new visitors to our online community, and to allow anyone that has previously got in touch with me to chat if you would like any further information or support.
I’m here with a listening ear if anybody needs to talk.