Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside receive King's Award

A suicide prevention charity has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour a voluntary group can receive.

Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside has been recognised by the monarch for its invaluable work in helping people in distress.
More than 150 volunteers at the branch, based at Clarence Street in Liverpool city centre, give up their free time to provide round-the-clock support.

Director Helen Gilbert said receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – which is equivalent to an MBE – was a proud moment for everyone connected to the branch.

Helen said:

“I am delighted that the amazing work and commitment of our volunteers has been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Our fully-trained listeners are at the other end of the phone every day and night of the year, giving emotional support to anybody struggling to cope, and providing a safe place for people to talk about their feelings in confidence and without judgement.

“We also provide face-to-face support for people who want to speak in person, as well as an email service for people who would prefer to write to us, and we know from the feedback we receive how much our callers value what we do.

“Our volunteers also regularly go out into the community – attending hospitals, train stations, businesses and events – to reach out to people who may need our support, and it is our work in this area that really caught the eye of the judges.”

The branch – which is linked to the national Samaritans organisation but is a standalone charity – is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious King’s Award this year.

The award aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the King’s accession to the throne two years ago.

Representatives from Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside will receive the award crystal and certificate from Merseyside’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mark Blundell, in the spring.

Two volunteers from the group will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, when the branch will also be celebrating its 65th birthday.

Helen added:

“It’s incredible to think how long our branch has been going for and how many people we have helped in that time – and 2025 is shaping up to be a very special year indeed.”