Meet the volunteers who are giving up their Christmas to help Leeds' most vulnerable people

Alwyne Greenbank, from Samaritans, and Ros Dea, from the NSPCC, will be sacrificing time with their loved ones to talk to those that need help over the Christmas period.

Mrs Greenbank, 71, is director of Leeds Samaritans. She will spend her day on the phones, supporting people in emotional distress, people who are struggling to cope and those at risk of suicide.

Mrs Dea, 59, is the counselling supervisor at NSPCC Leeds Childline. She will be doing a double shift on the web chat this Christmas.

Both women stressed that working on Christmas Day is no sacrifice for them as they know their work is helping people and making a huge difference.

Alwyne Greenbank, Samaritans.

How will you be spending Christmas this year?

I will be in the office on Christmas Day for several hours on the phone talking to people. Christmas isn’t a busier time than usual because, honestly, we are busy all of the time. I can start my shift and within 30 seconds the phone will ring but a lot of people do struggle more during the Christmas period.

A lot of people have sad memories over Christmas. For many people it will be the first Christmas without a loved one, others have fallen out with family members and they’re scared to see them again, or perhaps they will be alone for the holidays.

People already struggling with mental problems also find their vital routines broken over Christmas. Services have to close down and people really struggle. That’s why charities like us stay open. We are all here because we want to be - it's not like work. We wouldn’t be here on Christmas if we didn’t think that we were helping people.

When will you be sitting down for Christmas dinner?

I will be having my Christmas dinner at home, which is also when we open our presents but I will be sneaking off to spend several hours on the phone.

As the years have gone on, we’ve lost family members so Christmas doesn’t feel so big anymore. My husband and son are both involved with the charity and are very supportive, so they don’t mind me nipping out on Christmas Day.

What’s your festive message to your loved ones?

My festive message is just one of hope, that everyone enjoys Christmas as much as they can. Having volunteered at Samaritans for 24 years now, I can see it from the other side and I know that not everyone does have a wonderful time.

I’d also remind people that anyone who needs to ring us for anything this Christmas can, they don’t have to be in crisis. We won’t tell you how to cook your turkey - but if you’re worried, lonely, remembering loved ones and you need someone to talk to we are available and we’re free to call.

Ros Dea, NSPCC Childline.

How will you be spending Christmas this year?

I’ll spend some time on Christmas morning going to see my 92-year-old mum and then later me and my husband will go to my daughter’s house. From there I will be going into the Leeds Childline offices to do a double shift from 8pm to 2am.

We see a decrease in calls at Christmas because many children can’t talk to us as they have to spend a lot of time with their family, but that means the children that do manage to get in contact are at much higher risk so it is important we are there.

We save so many young people's lives who have no one to talk to so when you put that into perspective, Christmas Day is not a lot to give up.

When do you get to open presents?

Luckily, because we don’t have an early shift, I get to open my presents in the morning. However, there is always a base open somewhere in the country that can take the calls of children from Leeds, so they’re not alone.

When do you get to eat dinner?

Well, we need to do it early at about 12pm because I have the Childline shifts and my husband Paul is a vicar. It’s a very busy time in our house! We eat at our daughter’s house in Bradford so it’s very easy for me to get a taxi over to the Leeds office.

Luckily my family are very supportive and proud of what I do, so don’t mind when I go out to volunteer at unsociable hours.

What’s your festive message to your loved ones?

Don’t take anyone for granted and appreciate enjoy every moment. I hope every child is safe and happy and that they know there is always someone there to talk to. I also want to stress that they are not responsible for the whole family's happiness this Christmas.