A public exhibition highlighting Samaritans’ work in Ireland has opened in the Europe Direct Centre, Ballinasloe Library, Society Street, Ballinasloe.
Entitled 24/7, the exhibition brings to light the work the charity does with a display of professional photographs that show Samaritans’ services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. It also celebrates the contribution made by Samaritans volunteers: over 2,000 people volunteer with the organisation in Ireland, coming from all walks of life and ranging in age from early 20s upwards.
The exhibition was formally opened by Cllr Michael Maher, Mayor of Galway County. During the event, a representative from Samaritans gave a presentation on the work the charity is doing in the region and throughout Ireland.
Speaking in advance of the opening event, Heather Pope, director of Samaritans Galway branch, said: “We are delighted that 24/7 is coming to Ballinasloe, and we hope that it will help to highlight the day-to-day work of Samaritans volunteers in Galway, and the rest of Ireland.
“Samaritans embarked upon this public exhibition in an effort to highlight the extensive nature of our work. Most people are aware that you can phone Samaritans if you are in need of emotional support, but our programme of work also includes a wide range of proactive engagement with the public: we work in the community, in prisons, and in hospital and school settings, for instance.
“Samaritans’ services are of a professional standard but are delivered entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers undertake extensive training before they are permitted to take calls or meet with people who require emotional support. Following initial training, each one of our 2,000 volunteers around the country commits to providing a minimum number of volunteer hours each month, and they must take part in continuous training.
“The 24/7 exhibition offers an opportunity to recognise the huge commitment that our volunteers make. It also gives the public an opportunity to understand that our volunteers come from all walks of life; are all ages; and live in different parts of the country,” she said.
All photographs in the exhibition were taken by photographer Derek Speirs.
24/7 will be on display in the Europe Direct Centre in Ballinasloe Library from now until Saturday November 11. The Europe Direct Centre/ Ballinasloe Library’s opening times are as follows: Tuesday and Thursday 11am - 8pm; Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 11am - 5pm; and closed for lunch from 1pm-2pm every day.
Further information about Samaritans is available at www.samaritans.org Anyone interested in volunteering with the organisation can telephone (01 ) 6710071 or email [email protected].
