Samaritans at 50 host open day

Tomorrow York Samaritans is celebrating its half century with an open day to showcase its vital work.

The York branch opened in 1967, 14 years after London vicar Chad Varah founded the Samaritans for people struggling to cope and possibly contemplating suicide.

York Samaritans director Angela Jones has been a volunteer at the branch for 20 years and says 50 years is an amazing achievement for the York office.

“We help and support thousands of people every year in the York area and beyond and currently have 118 listening and non-listening members, either trained or in training,” she said.

“When we were initially set up here the emphasis was on people who were suicidal, but this is not the case now. The earlier people can have a conversation, the less likely they are to get to that point, so we are always delighted that people speak to us.

“Now people are able to talk about mental health issues, death, stress and pressures that they face.

“It is only now they have permission to talk about some of these things, including debt family and relationship issues and abuse. People talk about anything that worries them.”

Until about five years ago Samaritans taking calls in York were talking to people from the area. Now the calls are to a national freephone number and the York branch answers its share round the clock 24/7 and 365 days a year.

“The Samaritans offers a safe place for people to talk at anytime about whatever is getting to them - people don’t have to be suicidal,” Mrs Jones added.

York Samaritans welcomes new volunteers - the commitment is 12 hours a month - and taking calls is not essential. Non-listening Samaritans are involved in admin and fundraising and are aged from 20 to 80.

The open day runs from noon-3pm tomorrow at The Crescent Community Centre, 8 The Crescent, York. For details of how to contact York Samaritans or hours to call at the door at 89 Nunnery Lane visit https://www.samaritans.org/branches/york-samaritans