Happy Blue Monday. Chances are you need cheering: today is supposedly the most miserable day of the year. The next holidays are ages off, we’re still broke from Christmas, we’ve failed to keep our new year’s resolutions. Park Life prescribes these spirit-lifters…
Feeling depressed? Ring Samaritans’ helpline for emotional support. Someone is on the end of a phone to help anyone feeling distressed or struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Contact the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, or email jo@samaritans.org, or text 07725 90 90 90.
Have a clear-out! Much of the money Brent Samaritans needs to maintain the service is raised by the Samaritans charity shop in Willesden. Why not spend an afternoon doing a long overdue cupboard tidy and donate unwanted Christmas presents or high-quality goods from nearly-new clothing to electrical goods?
Hit this bargain-hunter’s paradise Picking up fashion accessories, much-needed homewares or DVDs for a snip not only feels good but does good. Retail therapy, indeed. The added bonus is you get to say hello to manager Denis or assistant manager Cathy or one of their hard-working team of volunteers.
Becomes a volunteer The charity relies on volunteers to provide their listening service and staff the shop – to find out how you can help, or to enquire about the training provided to make you a helpliner, ring 020 8961 7633.
Audio-visual Prozac And finally, for an instant serotonin-stimulater: crank up the volume for a dose of Blue Monday by New Order.
A) Brent Samaritans is at 1 Leopold Road, Harlesden NW10
B) Samaritans charity shop is at 11 Walm Lane, Willesden NW2 (020 8830 0034)
Brent Samaritans is a registered charity number 252048
