The Standard Life brand, part of Phoenix Group, has partnered with the Samaritans on a new initiative to train more volunteers.
The Samaritans Training School has been designed to help recruit and train more listening volunteers.
As a founding partner, Standard Life is making a donation which will allow the charity to train approximately 400 more listening volunteers. It has also pledged to fund up to 10,000 calls to Samaritans as part of a social media campaign.
Combined the two initiatives mean Standard Life is donating £200,000 to the charity.
The Samaritans offers support for anyone who is struggling to cope, day and night, 365 days a year. The charity responds to calls for help every ten seconds.
Sonya Trivedy, executive director for income at Samaritans commented: "Following a global pandemic and in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, we know that our 24-hour emotional support service is needed now more than ever. It's thanks to our incredible partners and funders that we can continue to be there for people, now and in the years to come."
Along with the donation Standard Life teams have attended Samaritans training and engagement programmes. This is a suite of courses delivered by Samaritans designed to support organisations train their people to spot and support peers that are struggling.
The Samaritans was chosen as the charity partner for Phoenix Group in 2021 and the partnership has since been extended until the end of March 2024.
Riffat Tufail, vulnerable customer lead at Standard Life said colleagues from across the wider business "have benefitted hugely from our partnership with Samaritans and the expertise they have shared over the previous two years".
"That is why we are delighted to be able to support the new Samaritans Training School, to help train 400 more listening volunteers, as well as provide additional donations to fund 10,000 calls over the festive period," Tufail said.
"We know from our own work that the importance of listening cannot be underestimated, and that is why it is absolutely vital Samaritans has as many volunteers as possible over the festive period and beyond."
