On Saturday, January 12 the game between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool FC will take on a special significance.
THE day will be a tribute to lifelong Seagulls fan and North Stand season ticket holder Jill Howell, who sadly died in October 2017 and all supporters, both home and away, are being asked to help remember her.
Not only was Jill passionate about her football, she also put her heart and soul into supporting other people through her charity work as a Samaritans volunteer at Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans.
For anyone not familiar with what Samaritans volunteers do, they offer a free listening ear to anyone going through a tough time or feeling overwhelmed, for whatever reason.
You can contact them by phone, email, text or by visiting them at Dubarry House, Newtown Road, Hove BN3 6AE. Usual opening hours 10am – 10pm.
It’s free to call Samaritans’ 116 123 number, even from a mobile without credit. It’s confidential, you don’t have to give your name and Samaritans’ number won’t show up on your phone bill.
Jill’s family has agreed to make Saturday’s game a memorial to her by promoting Samaritans’ work across the stadium, in the hope that the day will remind all fans to look out for each other and to be good listeners.
It’s not about feeling you need to fix each other’s problems – it’s just about letting people know you’re there, that you care, and that you’ll be there when they’re ready to talk. Trust your instincts, be brave and have patience – don’t be put off if someone doesn’t want to talk to you first time.
So remember to look out for volunteers from Brighton and Hove’s local branch of Samaritans handing out tips on ways to listen if someone is having a tough time.
You’ll also see Samaritans’ number promoted on the screens before, during and after the game, as well as players and ex-players talking openly about times when they were at their lowest and the people who were there for them. Even matchday mascot Gully will be joining in!
But Saturday isn’t a one-off. Samaritans will keep promoting this message throughout the season, that it’s ok to ask someone how they are doing, whether that’s friends, family, colleagues or fellow supporters, perhaps even the person standing next to you. Just let them say what’s going on in their head. And if you are the one feeling overwhelmed, it’s ok to accept support – people do care and they will listen.
Lisa Rodrigues, Samaritans Volunteer, Brighton, Hove & District said: “Jill would want to be remembered for how she lived. She often said that Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans and Brighton and Hove Albion could do good work together to help reduce suicide and loneliness. How fitting that today we are coming together in her name to do exactly that. We are extremely grateful to Jill’s sister Jo Howell for helping us make this happen, and to everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion for understanding the importance of being there for one another.”
You can call Samaritans for free anytime from any phone on 116 123, or call Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans on 01273 772277.