A group which provides vital support to troubled residents needs more volunteers.
The Hastings and Rother branch of the Samaritans currently has around 50 regular helps but organisers say that figure is shrinking all the time. They are therefore appealing for local residents to come forward and offer their spare time in a bid to s
well the ranks to closer to 80.
Working from the group's offices at 26 St Andrews Square, the Samaritans field tens of thousands of local calls a year - often from people who are in crisis or even suicidal.
By offering a friendly and supportive ear the volunteers help provide vital support to people who may not have anywhere else to turn.
However, because of a lack of volunteers the Samaritans have been forced to close their office and their phone lines on numerous occasions in recent months. Although all calls are automatically re-directed through to a neighbouring branch or the main switchboard, local organisers would love to be able to offer a more round-the-clock service - especially when volunteers are unavailable due to holidays or work commitments.
That is where you come in because the Samaritans wants new volunteers to join the team. The organisation is holding an information evening at its St Andrews Square HQ on September 1 at 7.30pm.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can either pop along on the night or get in touch by calling 01424 436666.
The Samaritans received a boost earlier this month after shoppers in Priory Meadow donated £178 on the charity's national awareness day.
Volunteers manned a stall in the shopping centre and were on hand to answer any questions on the type of support the group offers.
The full article contains 289 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
