The spotlight on...Samaritans 

Every month we will feature a different voluntary, community, faith sector or Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisation across the Bay. This time the spotlight is on...Samaritans.  

Samaritan volunteers run more than 200 branches across the UK and Ireland, offering their time to help deliver emotional support 24/7 and 365 days of the year. Callers can contact Samaritans in a number of ways including by telephone (116 123), by email and via a new webchat service that is being trialled in some parts of the country. In the Bay area, we have the Lancaster & District Branch which is based on Sun Street in Lancaster. The branch has around 80 listening volunteers as well as those running the shop which is located close to Lancaster bus station.  

Every day, listening volunteers are busy taking calls from those facing difficult situations such as ill health, isolation, homelessness, domestic violence or the loss of a loved one. Other calls might come from prisoners struggling with the separation from their families, those dealing with suicidal feelings and people just needing to talk through overwhelming feelings of fear. More and more calls are coming from young people facing problems stemming from online bullying, the breakdown in friendships, exam stress and problems within their homes.  

And Samaritans rely not only on listening volunteers but others offering their time in the essential areas of fundraising, generating publicity, administration and finance. There really is a role to suit everyone who would like to support the important work of Samaritans. For more information, visit the Samaritan website www.samaritans.org.