Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the wonderful Sheila Anderson on behalf of the Samaritans. Sheila had taken part in the Samaritans’ Managing Suicidal Conversations training while working for the railways and has since helped a number of people in very difficult situations.

Sheila was on her way to the weekly shop when she saw someone who needed help – trusting her instincts, she struck up a conversation and managed to get them to safety, potentially saving their life.

“Around the beginning of last year, I was on the way to my weekly shop when I came across a young woman in floods of tears, I stopped the car and slowly approached her. I asked, “has something happened to bring you here today?” and I could tell that instantly broke her thoughts. She told me her name and said she was struggling to cope as she wasn’t able to get the support she needed.