A major charity has released a new statement after they previously announced proposals to close half of its 200 branches nationwide despite widespread volunteer objections. In July The Samaritans announced plans to close 100 branches across the UK and Ireland in another major blow to the already suffering high street.
Earlier this year, in a presentation to staff, the suicide prevention charity’s chief executive said “at least half” of their branches will close, reports the BBC. Founded in 1953, The Samaritans said having more than 200 branches “is not sustainable and hinders us” from providing the best service. But speaking to The Express a spokesperson for the Samaritans revealed no branches have been earmarked for closure.
They said: “We need to be really clear – there is no branch closure list because no branches have been identified for closure in your region or any other. Scaling up, mergers and any possible closures are going to be what the next three years are about in the three pathfinder regions selected.”
However the charity conceded they are set operate a smaller branch network in future. A recent press released said: “Change needs to happen, let’s make sure it happens in a clear and considered way.”
Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans, said: “Although making these changes will be challenging for us, it is a challenge we are determined to face into. The plans we announce today will help us be here for more people who need our support, in the moment they need us the most. A moment too late isn’t an option for us. With the incredible service of our wonderful volunteers and the support of the public, we can respond to even more people in need, so no one feels like they have no choice but to take their own life. Together, we can prevent suicide.”
The 70-year-old charity plans to set up three-year regional projects co-created with volunteers, which it says will include branch closures and mergers.
It plans to use three ‘pathfinders’ in the south east England, Yorkshire and Humberside, and Scotland which will result in “the scaling up, mergers and regrettably closures of some branches”. These areas were found to have an appropriate mix of branch locations.
Julie Bentley, the mental health charity’s chief executive, told the Guardian these three pilots will be “co-created” with volunteers to develop more efficient ways of working, including branch mergers and closures.
A letter sent by Samaritans to its volunteers last week says the three pilots would examine “how to reconfigure branches, considering all options including branch scale up, mergers, coalitions, clusters, relocations, and regrettably where needed, closures”.
The letter adds: “We acknowledge and understand the concern expressed about how the loss of any branch may impact morale and retention for some volunteers,” the letter said. “It has confirmed just how much local branches and local communities mean to our volunteers.”
However, news of the three pilots have provoked widespread dismay among volunteers, many voiced concerns that they would be unable to travel and fear the beloved charity would lose its vital community roots and local connections.
A volunteer for Samaritans told Civil Society in August that they were “incredibly concerned” about the national closures and disputed the charity’s claim that the changes would improve the quality of the service.
The branch closures, which remain subject to approval and the locations of which have not been confirmed, could come into effect next April in the UK and in 2027 in Ireland.
“We’re not against change,” one volunteer said, “but they’ve not provided any evidence that these changes will improve the charity. It feels more like the professionalisation of the Samaritans.”
The Samaritans can be reached round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org or by visiting www.samaritans.org.