I call the Sams and find waiting difficult. More often than not, I ring off, but I've realised over time that often what matters most to me is the knowledge that there are people out there that care, and the knowledge that there are others, like me, struggling. The latter is important because often when I'm struggling I feel a strong sense of inadequacy, so knowing that others are struggling makes me feel less awful about myself.
That being said, who's to say who's more deserving than whom? Why is your life or your peace of mind or your welfare or whatever worth less than anyone else's? You wouldn't think that of someone else, would you? Or if you would, you've never shown it here.
And if it sounds like I'm preaching, I've been struggling with this in other areas of my life and I'm saying "Please don't do as I was doing." Having been let down or even cheated by so many professionals, tradesmen and service providers, I ended up feeling I was taking advantage of others if I asked for free help.
During the pandemic, I've found myself brought more into contact with neighbours in contexts where the need for help has come up. I've had neighbours help with lots of stuff and I've done my best to help. One neighbour, stridently demanding I hand over my laundry when I'd got washing machine problems, reminded me that I'd once mentioned having done a neighbour's laundry for him. That neighbour wasn't saying "I'm doing yours because you did his" she was saying "You didn't expect him to feel he was taking advantage of you, did you? You felt good being able to help someone."
I have thanked the different neighbour whose medication I've been collecting for them about once a month since the start of the pandemic, a round trip on foot of over an hour each time, for reminding me that I like helping others so I needn't feel awkward about asking others for help. Another neighbour felt free to ask to borrow some of my mobility aids that I don't need whilst my ataxia is in remission. Etc.
Sometimes just for a chat, I phone Silverline. You only get a few minutes, but they cheer me up.
I used to look for other numbers via Helplines Partnership, but they recently changed their website and I can't get it to work.
In the past, I've found comfort also from helplines that are there to deal with particular issues. There isn't always a relevant one, but you never know your luck, and what suits one person won't suit another. At 'marmite' extremes would be a prayer helpline. Depending on your beliefts, that could be wonderful, dreadful or uninteresting.