Samaritans 60th Anniversary

On November 2nd, Samaritans across the country celebrated their Diamond Jubilee. It hardly seems possible that 60 years has passed since Chad Varah received that first life saving telephone call. Little could we have predicted how much the organisation would grow to become such a vital life line to so many people in distress and despair, or how it has changed to reflect the gorwing needs and concerns of our current society. One thought of as the 'suicide' charity Samaritans has come of age as awareness of the many ways in which people from all walks of life can be helped in times of need, whether a sudden crisis, or an ongoing situation.
Local Samaritan Linda Vijeh says 'With ever tighter funding for social services, we are increasingly receiving calls from those with mental health issues, who traditionally would have been able to obtain treatment or help elsewhere. With our 24/7 service, although we do not offer advice, we are able to provide listening support, where sometimes there are just not any answers. People want to feel they have a voice, to be able to express their feelings, and gain confidential emotional support without being judged. Becoming a Samaritan just over 3 years ago is probably the most worthwhile and fulfilling thing I do.'
In celebration of the occasion BT tower in London was lit up in green.

Locally, Samaritans were be hard at work baking 60 cakes to sell at a fund raising coffee morning held on Saturday 2nd Nov. at North Street Congregational Church in Taunton from 10.30am - 12.30pm.
Amazingly, St. George's Church in Wilton had generously offered to donate the funds raised during their Sunday morning service on 3rd Nov. to Samaritans.