Castlebar Samaritans, the latest addition to the Samaritan network will be officially launched in 21 Upper Thomas St., Castlebar on Monday, August 28 at 5.30pm.
A group of 17 volunteers started taking calls in May and they are hoping to add more volunteers to their number in the autumn. Castlebar Samaritans join more than 2,000 other volunteers in 22 other locations who provide a free confidential listening service around the clock to people who are in distress, lonely, struggling to cope or feeling suicidal.
Supported by Galway Samaritans, who have recruited and trained the first volunteers in Castlebar, Castlebar Samaritans hope that more people from Mayo will be able to join them in their work, supporting people through telephone conversations, email and soon through face-to-face conversations. Training for new volunteers will start in the autumn, and anyone who is interested in taking part can find out more by coming to the launch or at https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/support-us/volunteer/
“Recruiting volunteers in Mayo means that we can be there for people who previously wouldn’t have had access to a local branch” says Catherine Emerson, Director of Galway Samaritans “and it also means that we can open more phone lines at times when people really need us. We’re so proud of our service in Castlebar and we’re looking forward to seeing how it develops in future.”
Regional Director of Samaritans for the Republic of Ireland, Jonathan Neville says “Samaritans across Ireland do great work and I’m so pleased to be joining Castlebar Samaritans to celebrate their opening”.
If you are interested in finding out more about Samaritans and the work that they do in Castlebar come along to the launch in Thomas Street on 28th August or contact us by email or phone at the numbers given below.
Anyone can contact Samaritans for free anytime from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or you can email [email protected].
