Struggling with the January blues?

Listening charity Samaritans wants people to know they are always there at the end of the line.

January can be a particularly difficult time, coming after the Christmas period and with winter setting in it can increase feelings of anxiety and isolation.

Samaritans of Dorset, based out of an office in Weymouth, has also made a call for more people to consider giving up their time in the new year to become a volunteer.

Samaritans is the only charity that is there for anyone struggling to cope 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Volunteers are there to listen, without passing judgement, and to help people work through what's on their mind. There is never any pressure and a Samaritan will never tell anyone what to do.

The Weymouth branch has been operating for almost 50 years.

The branch is now so busy there are around 25,000 contacts every year, either through telephone, email or text.

The Christmas period can be the hardest time of the year for some and in 2018 Samaritans of Dorset responded to more than 2,000 calls for help during that festive period.

As well as taking calls, volunteers work with the local prisons, training and supporting inmates as listeners, and they also give presentations to schools and clubs.

A spokesman said: "To ensure that volunteers are always available at Weymouth Samaritans, they desperately need more people to answer phones. If you have ever thought that you might be able to help either as a listening volunteer, or just to give support, why not make it your New Year's Resolution to contact the local Samaritans and find out if you could make a real difference to someone’s life.

"With suicide rates on the rise, Samaritans has never been more of a lifeline. It would be a tragedy if Samaritans wasn’t able to be there for those in distress. Volunteering or making a donation will ensure we’re there for everyone who needs help."

Samaritans provide excellent training and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to develop your volunteering role.

To find out more email weymouthsamaritansrecruitment@gmail.com or call 01305 770598.

Whatever you're going through, call Samaritans 116 123 at anytime (the number is free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org. The Weymouth branch is at 13 King Street.