Bristol Samaritans have celebrated their 50th anniversary with an event at the city offices of accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson.
The Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Mary Prior, High Sherriff Michael Bothamley, Lord Mayor Alastair Watson and Lady Mayoress Sarah Watson were among the dignitaries who joined volunteers and supporters of Bristol Samaritans as they marked 50 years of service to the local community.
Maggie, a volunteer at Bristol Samaritans for more than five years, said: “It was a wonderful occasion and a great opportunity to thank the individuals and members of the business community who support our service.
“Many people don’t realise that Bristol Samaritans has no paid staff. It is completely self-funded and run by trained volunteers who willingly give up their time to help others at any time of the day or night.”
Mike Lea, managing partner at the Bristol office of Smith & Williamson, who hosted the event, said: “Bristol Samaritans provide a vital service to thousands of people and we are pleased to be able to show our support. To have run a free service entirely on donations and goodwill for half a century is no mean achievement and we hope that with the support of the local community, the Bristol Samaritans will be able to continue their work for many years to come.”
Bristol Samaritans provides an active listening service and confidential emotional support to 60,000 people a year. The Bristol branch is completely self-funded and has no paid staff. A group of 170 trained volunteers deliver the confidential service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, including Christmas Day as well as visiting prisons, schools, businesses, hospitals and providing awareness training.
Bristol Samaritans is contacted by people from all socio-economic groups for any number of reasons, including loneliness, sadness resulting from the death of a loved one, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, financial worries and issues relating to sexual identity.
Bristol Samaritans is based at 37 St Nicholas Street in central Bristol where it provides a drop-in service from 7.30am to 9pm daily as well as by telephone, text and email.
If any businesses would like to fund-raise for Bristol Samaritans or get involved in volunteering, they should contact Maggie at maggie@bristolsamaritans.org
Pictured, from left: Mike-Lea, Mary Prior, Alastair Watson, Maggie of Bristol Samaritans, Sarah Watson and Martyn of Bristol Samaritans
