‘Life needs a big network’ and yet the strength of that network relies equally on the dedicated people who build, connect and serve. This month, Three UK strengthens its support for charity partner, Samaritans, via the Samaritans Training School, which guarantees a more flexible and accessible training process for volunteers.
With a £150,000 donation, Three is helping Samaritans recruit and train an extra 300 listening volunteers. This is equivalent to 13,000 hours of volunteering, or 50,000 calls received from anyone needing emotional support. Since forming its partnership with Samaritans in 2021, Three, its employees and customers, have raised more than £590,000.
To mark this partnership milestone and the 70th anniversary of Samaritans, Three has collaborated with Samaritans on a new film which reminds us all of the UK charity’s importance, “I think that one phone call to Samaritans set me on a new path,” says Jason, one of the film’s main participants.
Jason is just one of 134 million callers who have received vital emotional help from Samaritan volunteers over the past 70 years.
Elaine Carey, Chief Commercial Officer at Three said, “Three is very proud of the partnership we have with Samaritans. At the heart of both organisations is the importance of communication and using the power of human connection to make people’s lives better. Samaritans Training School represents that synergy as we support Samaritans with the evolution of their service to help more people access emotional support, 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Also celebrating the people that count is Britain’s Mobile Industry ‘Shop Idol’ Awards. The awards recognise excellence in customer service across the country’s retail and contact centres. In the second round of nominations, 5 of the 12 nominees were Three store employees, twice as many as any other telecom competitor.
In the Retail category, Three’s Customer Service Associate, Lynn Godney from the Hull store made it to the final five. Lynn says, “I have always had a passion for delivering excellent customer service and am most certainly a people person.”