Light up the longest night
Saturday 21 December 2024 is the longest night of the year, with the sun setting shortly after 4.00pm.
Staffordshire County Council’s Public Health Team are pleased to be working in partnership with the Samaritans to use the date to promote the message that the Samaritans are always there to listen during the long winter nights, even during Christmas and New Year.
Last year, Samaritans volunteers responded to thousands of calls in the UK and Ireland over the festive period and this year volunteers in Staffordshire will be there round-the-clock to make sure people who are struggling always have someone to turn to.
Several county council buildings including the Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford will be lit up green and we're inviting individuals, organisations and businesses to join us by displaying a light in their window.
How to get involved
From Monday 2 December 2024, pop to your local library to collect a free poster and green LED tealight.
If you can't pick up a poster from your local library, you can view and print it from here. Longest Night Poster (1.20 Mb)
Display the poster in your window with the green light between 16 – 21 December 2024
(Please stay safe and only use LED lights. The LED light provided contains a button battery which could harm a child or pet if swallowed. Please keep out of reach.)
Post Your Green Light Photo: December 21, 2024 (The Longest Night)
On December 21, 2024, post a photo of your light on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the following message:
“Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone, even from a mobile without credit. Call 116 123."
Please help to spread the word as far as possible by tagging Staffordshire County Council and using the hashtag #LightUpTheNight, or email your pictures to philip.wade@staffordshire.gov.uk.
If you own or look after a building, landmark or attraction in Staffordshire and you would like to show support for the campaign, and help to raise awareness of this important helpline number, please get in touch with
philip.wade@staffordshire.gov.uk for more information.
Additional digital resources:
Need help, advice or support?
Samaritans offer emotional support to anyone in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You don’t have to be suicidal to ring Samaritans. Many people call because they are stressed, depressed, anxious, bereaved, lonely or struggling with everyday life.
Anyone can contact Samaritans for free, any time, from any phone - even from a mobile without credit and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
Call 116 123 anytime.
For other sources of support or advice about looking after your mental wellbeing, please visit Mental health and wellbeing - Staffordshire County Council.