The support he gave Switchboard continued after he died. Dudley remembered Switchboard in his Will – something we’re immensely grateful for. The gift he gave Switchboard helped make sure we can keep our phone room up and running and continue to be there for those who need us today. Dudley’s legacy means that we can help people who weren’t even born when Dudley first started taking calls on our helpline. A lasting legacy, indeed.
SUPPORT US
Over the past five decades Switchboard has offered support to millions of people and offered calm words when they were needed most. You can help ensure that anyone in the UK can continue to access our listening service by supporting Switchboard today.
DonateOur dedicated volunteers give up their time to offer calm words when people need them most, every day of the year. We receive no statutory support and rely entirely on the generosity of our friends and supporters to help cover our running costs such as a free phoneline, heating bills and IT expenses. Without this generous support, we couldn’t continue creating space for people to feel heard and find the support they need.
On average it costs £16 for full wrap-around coverage of each conversation and we have around 15,000 conversations every year. If you would like to help us support even more people, please donate today.
DonateWAYS TO SUPPORT SWITCHBOARD
Become a friend of Switchboard
Choosing to becoming a regular giver to Switchboard enables us to not just plan for today, but also for our future.
Fundraise for us
Whether it’s a bake sale or a skydive, there are plenty of ways you can raise funds for us! Get in touch with our fundraising team today to let them know what your plans are and head to our downloadable resources page for inspiration and assets for your fundraiser.
Create a fundraising page
A JustGiving page is quick and easy to set up. It is a great way to share about your fundraiser with your friends, family and supporters.
Take part in an event
From 5k runs to marathons, obstacle courses, skydives and lots of other exciting challenges, we have spaces available in hundreds of events up and down the country.
Leave a Legacy
By leaving a gift in your will or collecting donations in memory, you can help us to continue providing vital support
DUDLEY’S LEGACY
Dudley was a founding volunteer of Switchboard and volunteered with us up to his death in 1999.
"I rang Switchboard in my troubled youth when I was living at home with very homophobic and religious parents. In fact, my dad was a vicar. Late 80’s country living was a different world. Put simply; I would not be alive without the support I received from your staff. A kind voice at the end of the line saved my life."
"I am 30 years old and up until about 6 years ago, I struggled with my sexuality. Thinking back, I think I always knew I was a lesbian but didn’t feel that I was able to vocalise that to my family or even begin to speak about it/understand it myself. For quite a while, I felt very alone and my mental health definitely suffered because of it. My family are now very accepting of me and my partner, but I understand that, sadly, not all LGBTQ+ people are in the same boat. That’s why, for me, I think it’s so important that helplines like Switchboard are there and funded so that no one has to feel any other way about who they are other than proud. Even now, to know that there is someone on the end of a phone to talk to makes me hopeful that anyone feeling any type of way about their sexuality or gender identity have Switchboard ready and waiting with a listening ear. I am an out and proud lesbian woman and I am proud to support Switchboard.”
"I used the service myself about 30(!) years ago and found it helpful at a crucial time. My mother-in-law also used Switchboard when she found out about my partner when he came out. I have always wanted to help and pay back in some small way."