The Listening Place

We provide face-to-face, ongoing, confidential support to people who feel life is no longer worth living. Volunteers deliver all of our support, and we do not use a waiting list. Our volunteers deliver up to 150 appointments a day across three London sites and we are planning to open a fourth this year.

We train our volunteers to listen with compassion – they do not diagnose, advise or offer solutions. Instead, they endeavour to build a trusting relationship with the visitor, encouraging them to open up about their suicidal feelings and navigate a way through their crisis with the volunteers support.

The demand for mental health support services across the UK is higher than ever, but there is no widely available face-to-face support for people who are suicidal. Waiting lists for the limited support that exists are long. The Listening Place contact every referral within 24 hours and offer an appointment within a week. Of the 7973 referrals we received in the past year, 5222 people went on to receive ongoing support. This year we estimate we will support 6300 people across the city who feel that life is no longer worth living.