Samaritans Reviews 

479
•
TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.8

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 118 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently reported that support staff showed a striking lack of empathy, often sounding completely disinterested or reading mechanically from rigid scripts during calls. People also noted deeply frustrating communication barriers, mentioning that phone lines were frequently busy, hard to reach, or abruptly disconnected when they needed help the most. Though some reviewers experienced poor interactions, a number of other individuals found specific volunteers to be genuinely compassionate, attentive, and deeply supportive. These consumers greatly appreciated having a patient, understanding listener available to help them navigate extremely difficult mental health moments and find clarity.

What people talk about most

Customer service

Customers consistently note negative experiences with customer service, reporting that agents showed a... See more

Staff

Consumers experience deep frustration, with reviewers frequently reporting that staff members appear... See more

Service

Clients share ambiguous opinions on service, with some reviewers praising the lovely volunteers and... See more

Ethics

People report negative experiences with ethics, expressing deep disappointment over a perceived lack of... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I called yesterday as I was feeling really low and upset and needed someone to talk to. The volunteer I spoke with appeared disinterested throughout the call and showed very little empathy. It felt as... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I’ve been in a desperate situation for some time and I hit Rick bottom on Friday just gone. It was awful, absolutely terrible and thank goodness I wasn’t suicidal because after that experience I woul... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I called Samaritans after contemplating suicide. I was given short shrift and was made to feel like a naughty schoolboy with a smacked bum. I'm 56 years old, intelligent and was made to feel... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Guy was clearly uninterested and relying on his PowerPoint training to “listen” But then I’m tempted to give 5 stars, because I hung up and called one of my best friends and had one of the greate... See more


Company details

About Samaritans

Written by the company

Samaritans cannot respond to you on TrustPilot, so we encourage you to share your feedback with us directly. Samaritans aims to give the best experience to everyone who uses our support, in every conversation. But if you have had a negative experience of any kind or wish to share some feedback, please do so using the links below: Share your feedback directly via our complaints form visit our website Samaritans is a registered charity in the UK and Ireland that provides emotional support for people struggling to cope.

About our service

Samaritans believes that people are the experts on their own lives and situations, and have the right to find their own solutions. Therefore, volunteers will never provide advice or tell people what to do. They can however signpost people to other organisations.

view our privacy policy
If you are struggling to cope, remember you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, any time of the day or night.

Contact info

1.8

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

479 reviews

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1.8

All reviews

(479)

105 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time

They listen and go quiet dont say a lot, you are feeling so low and all it is listen to you, you could commit suicide while you was on the phone and nothing to me they are a waste of time

12 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Samaritans Poem

A Poem that I wrote and wanted to share about the Samaritans.
Title: Samaritans….

​When I feel low
These people lift my soul,
It takes a unique individual to let you speak the sadness in your heart
And wanting that feeling to simply depart.

Samaritans
These are angels that protect your heart,
They help manage your feelings, which all feels lost
As you wondered what contributed this falling at an almighty cost.

The lift my spirit for simply listening to this broke soul
Thinking there is nothing in life that can be recaptured or whole.

It takes a special person to be attentive and caring
And when I was told once ‘we may not know you, but we do care’.

Samaritans are a blessing
And Samaritans are my Angels who have been there time and time again,
If you ever need to release your thoughts when you reach a stand still
Remember there are these people, who are humble and everso real.

“116123, the best telephone number you will ever call. Angels on lifes terms”
Jason
10th July 2026

10 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Lottery who picks up the phone

I have phone 4 times over the past 4-5 years. The first two people I spoke to were so helpful in particularly a woman who really helped me work through my feelings and a situation. I phoned a couple of weeks ago and the man listened and I at least felt a bit lighter by end of the phone call and he said I can phone anytime. I have been distressed for a few months and have been having emotional flashbacks, I have really needed someone to speak to but I know it all depends who you speak to and I didn't want to feel worse. I phoned Samaritans this morning and was left feeling dismissed and invalidated, he asked me what my living situation is which is nothing to do with what I was phoning about and 'I'm trying to figure out your age and failing miserably' I told him which I shouldn't have but when I'm feeling emotionally vulnerable and put on the spot, I can find it hard to put up those boundaries to protect myself , he then said 'well there you are'. I was trying to discuss what I was initially calling for and he cut me off mid sentence which was followed by 'Lots of things in the past and what have you' And then 'What happened this morning to make you phone the Samaritans?' I was left feeling more distressed and like no one can understand my mental health. It makes me feel the service is inaccessible as it's a lottery who picks up the phone.

8 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What Samaritans really think of us

If I could give zero stars I would. They said they'd done a safeguarding request, then called me back 2 days later to have me talk to them for over 40 mins, silly me im talking about really difficult things, then when it was toward the end of the 40 minutes I said it really helps that you've done the safeguarding referal. Omg! Do not trust these people! Find another crisis line! I was treated to a total walk back of the safeguarding referal. It was we dont do safeguarding referals...but you did 2 days ago...then wait a minute as I speak to my manager...well...they forgot to put the phone on mute. Therefore I got to discover what they really think of me - answer not much! The manager says - ooh tell HER we dont do safeguarding referals, just refer HER to Adult Social Services ( a known unsafe route for me and they know it)...but what do I say though said the staff member clearly out of her depth. What I said...so..samaritan lady says hi yes..then delivers the script. Me...mhmm ..see I just heard everything that was said to me as you forgot to put the call on mute. It was one of those moments where they had to scramble and they did. The boss lady interjected and took over the call!! Ah so you were listening in! Dear God! Boss lady tries to gain the initiative ( !), talks down to me. Me - really! I did hear all you said about me so??? Like ya kinda lost the argument already. So boss lady doubles down on the we dont do safeguarding until I questioned her enough to narrow it down to the pivot...ah we did a form then and its gone to a safeguarding group. Aha what group...oh you cant call them. Didnt say I would but yeah what group...jesus! So apparently a safeguarding group within Samaritans that sounds masonic in nature! No one can get in, no one can get out vibes. This sounded all very bizarre. The boss lady then says you can still call us and I said - you've hurt me, you've made my life that much worse. I cried for hours then suddenly I was done. Who needs this poison in life. They should be ashamed of themselves. I hope my post helps other people. I feel relieved today that im blessed to know what they are really like. Its a relief to not call them ever again. Its a huge betrayal of trust, its on them.

7 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

after seeing the reviews making…

after seeing the reviews making mistakes in texts is normal but does anyone here think this is purposely done shout not shoot apparently that’s what was in the text that i got told was a mistake don’t think it was tho

6 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

some of their staff at NYC are helpful…

some of their staff at NYC are helpful but when it’s bad it’s really bad. when ur in crisis, some volunteer on the other line just ask some robotic irrelevant questions, asking u to repeat stuff u just said.

29 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bland response

I wasn't particularly low, but racing thoughts and wanted to self harm. Called the Samaritans and the woman over the phone barely said anything and bland. Felt bad before, and cried after.

24 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I hope you find her name

I hope you find her name. My name is Katie I'm a messed up narcissist I can't remember her name but she saved my life call started at 5:39 ended 1 hour and 39 mins later. Didn't judge and understood my words. I've never felt so listened to despite not fully understanding but is willing to listen. I'm writing this as this call saved me I genially appreciate this call pay her or give a raise or whatever please

22 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cancerous organisation, riddled with gaslighters

After over a decade of using Samaritans, my view is it stopped being fit for purpose a good few years ago. In recent times, I've been fruitlessly wringing the dregs out of a dying fish - wrapped in a sock and dragged out of a sewage-polluted river on a hot day.

Don't forget, this is the same organisation that was in the news in 2019 because a number of its middle-aged males were meeting up with women for sex - clearly grooming them during the calls.

That behaviour does not happen in a vacuum, it happens because of a radioactive culture, off-target recruitment, robo-corp 'training' and complete lack of accountability across the board.

A disturbing number of these volunteers now appear to be on a power trip. They will try to put you in a position where you feel the need to justify yourself and why you're worthy of help. then try to weaponise what you share with them with in a poor attempt to make you doubt yourself.

The fact is many of these people are unwell, but have never had the guts to take themselves off to therapy and are trying to sublimate their own pain through 'helping' others.

This frequently involves taking a short tour around in the lives/minds of the caller - info gathering, profiling, stereotyping and judging then abruptly ending the call when they get bored. That sadistic, detached behaviour is no different than the kid who burns insects in the midday sun under a magnifying glass.

They really are unworthy of your life stories.

My advice is, if you really must call these people, be careful what you share. Challenge them & enforce your boundaries.

I highly suspect some of these clowns have Chat GPT / Google AI Overview open during your call and are repeating its bilge.

17 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

As much use as a stick

As much use as a stick. The woman i spoke to wasn't at all helpful. They just can't be bothered to advise or support you. I mean no disrespect but they sound lifeless. Do not ring these for help. Go to your GP, best mate, family or another mental health team.

4 June 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Zero stars review regarding the pilot o-line chat. Staff making up assumptions basically lying on the chat if a person doesn't answer. DO NOT TRUST ON-LINE PILOT.

Zero stars review regarding the pilot o-line chat. Staff making up assumptions basically lying on the chat if a person doesn't answer. DO NOT TRUST ON-LINE PILOT.

Joanne, Annie and Amy. Amy didn't state her name. How are you feeling as I didn't answer you must be exhausted making assumptions basically lying about stuff. Making stories up. Annie lied about the complaint's email gave me feedback email address with some links. Joanne expected me to repeat myself as she hadn't read the messages.

Direct discrimination by staff especially age and disability discrimination.

It's bullying by staff for me to tell her inform that she doesn't have any legal authority to have.

28 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shame on you

I can’t believe that a place that’s meant to care don’t even pick up phone what is world coming to it’s obviously people in wrong job narcissistic no empathy get people like myself into jobs shame on you all

24 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Atrocious

Atrocious. The ‘Samaritan’ asked me to stop talking and then wished me a ‘good day’!!!???
SERIOUSLY!?
Zero empathy, compassion, understanding… it’s no wonder people top themselves

17 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting filth if you intend to kill…

Disgusting filth if you intend to kill yourself this scum organisation cares little in fact they get off on hearing peoples problems and the hell they are going though don’t engage with them they are completely evil people and will prompt you to end your life Don’t end your life because you are special and deserve better 👍

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I will keep donating because these lot…

I will keep donating because these lot are always here when I need them. Thank you so much for volunteering your time 24/7 to hear our problems. To those that moan they dont help they are here to listen they CANT advise only LISTEN!!! Much love to you all thank you so much xoxo

9 May 2026
Unprompted review

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