About
Samaritans in Spain is an organisation operated by a group of volunteers. We are available by telephone or email to speak to any English speaker across the whole of Spain and the Islands, of any age, who is experiencing emotional problems of any kind
It all started in September 2005 and culminated in the launch of the Costa Blanca Samaritans service in Spain in July 2008. Thank to the continued generosity of our wonderful supporters and volunteers, it is our intention to continue to expand and develop the service we offer. We are very much based on the established Samaritan model, which has been in operation in the UK since 1953. We are pleased to have had the support of Samaritans UK throughout the time we have worked to establish ourselves in Spain.
Our main office and charity shop are based in Punta Marina Commercial Centre on the Costa Blanca. We also have satellite teams in Madrid, Barcelona, La Marina, Sotogrande (Costa del Sol), and Calpe.
We want you to feel safe while talking to us, so that you are comfortable to tell us how you are really feeling. That's why you can talk to us in the strictest of confidence; you don't even have to disclose your name if you don't want to.
Our Board of Trustees
Les Holloway
Vice President/Retail
Les moved permanently to Spain after retiring in January 2018 from the position of Group Company Secretary for a UK public company.
He also administered the Billngton Charity Foundation. He has three grown up children and six grand-children. Hobbies include travel and lawn bowls. He was co-opted to the Board in July 2019 and appointed as a Trustee in December 2019.
Ade Webster
Treasurer
Ade served in the Royal Air Force for 34.5 years before retiring as a Flight Sergeant and moving to Spain in 2017. His background is in Administration and HR.
He has been involved with amongst other things, accounting, welfare and personnel issues throughout his long career. He is married to Jo and has three grown up children and two grandchildren. He was accepted onto the Board of Trustees in late 2018.
Donna Williams
President/Marketing
Donna moved to Spain in 2012 having previously lived on the island of Crete. She has a marketing background that spans some 18 years.
As well as acting as a freelance marketer, she also has experience of working with the shipping industry. Donna has a grown up daughter and in her spare time enjoys watching her sing. She was accepted onto the Board of Trustees in late 2018.
Jan Knight
Secretary
Jan moved to Spain in 2012. Her background covers a wide variety of roles within the Education sector.
She is an experienced administrator and has a wide range of IT skills.
Joanna Urbanek
Listening Services
Joanna has a background in social work and community development gained from working with a variety of non-profit charities.
Her roles revolved around working with people with physical and learning disabilities as well as mental illness. She currently lives in Spain with her family and enjoys walks on the beach with her two dogs. She was accepted onto the Board of Trustees in July 2021.
David Upjohn
Listener Training & Recruitment
After living in Hastings for thirty one years, David moved to Spain in July 2020. His life has been devoted to the care and empowerment of others.
He has spent over 20 years as as a specialist foster carer, providing 24 hour care to children with complex disabilities and terminal conditions.
Now retired, he spends his time as a Samaritan listener, reading and exploring all that Spain has to offer.
We believe in the importance of having the opportunity to explore difficult feelings.
We believe that being listened to in confidence and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.
We believe that everyone has the right to make fundamental decisions about their own life, including the decision to die by suicide.
Our Mission
Samaritans in Spain is available to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Our Vision
The Samaritan vision is for a society in which:
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Fewer people die by suicide
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People are able to explore their feelings
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People are able to acknowledge and respect the feeling of others.
Our Objectives
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To enable people of any age who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide, to receive confidential emotional support from appropriately trained Samaritans in order to improve their emotional health and to reduce the incidence of suicide.
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To promote a better understanding in society, of suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings which may otherwise lead to suicide or impaired medical health.