Listeners who are saving lives

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans, celebrate their golden anniversary with the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Ray Dutton and his wife Elaine, with (left front) Samaritans director Janet Murphy and (right front) Samaritans deputy director Jean Casey and other volunteers and guests

FIFTY years of listening and helping to save thousands of lives.

It's impossible to say how many have been brought back from the brink thanks to Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans.

How many have stepped away from the bridge or ledge they're about to leap from or how many have seen a sudden flash of light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the calming, friendly voice on the other end of the line.

The countless youngsters who've been abused or bullied - literally to within an inch of their lives - who feel they have nowhere else to turn to other than a stranger who could be just down the road or hundreds of miles away. The branch deals with 30,000 calls a year from across the UK.

Samaritans gladly give up hours of time every week to be that person who is there when no else is.

They are local volunteers who are highly trained to strict Samaritans' standards doing a job which bears a weighty responsibility.

Locally and nationally they save the government millions of pounds in providing a service at a time when mental health is pulling more people into its grasp, regardless of age or background.

Yet Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is funded purely by public fundraising with not a penny from Westminster - aside from a tiny £800 grant to subsidise work in prisons. It costs £28,000 a year to run the service.

They would like to do more but, with just 40 volunteers and no official funding, it's impossible, says publicity officer Dr James McCready.

"We have no paid staff whatsoever," he said.

"Obviously we would provide a more comprehensive service if we had the funds. We have a small branch with just 40 volunteers. I feel we carry out a fantastic job and give the public great value for money.

"The cost to the public purse for each suicide in Greater Manchester is £1.47million, so for every person that talks to Samaritans and decides not to take their life by suicide, it saves the taxpayer a considerable sum."

In Oldham there are around 20 suicides every year.

The demand for a local branch sprouted from Manchester Samaritans in 1966 after they had over 100 calls from the Oldham, Rochdale and Ashton area which was deemed high enough to warrant its own office. Now they handle distress calls from around the world.

It's first director was the Rev Peter Scotland when the branch opened on Rochdale's Lord Street in 1967 where the Samaritans used the offices of the Marriage Guidance Council in the evenings when they were closed.

It took its first call on March 1 that year and now operates from its own office in Caton Street, Rochdale.

"For 50 years, it has been entirely the efforts and goodwill of our volunteers that have kept the service going," said James.

"In the 1960s fewer families had phones so there were a lot of face to face callers, as well as the occasional phone call.

"Nowadays nationally Samaritans receive five-and-a-half million contacts from callers and around 30,000 of these are answered in Rochdale. We also answer emails and text messages from all over the world requesting emotional support."

The branch plays a big part in helping to develop the region's social policy in relation to suicide prevention. James sits on suicide prevention groups in Greater Manchester, Rochdale, Tameside and Oldham.

"This means we can help influence how NHS, council, Care Commissioning Groups, etc, spend money that should lead to a reduction in the incidence of suicide," said James.

"It's through these groups that a "first aid course for the suicidal" was funded and other training courses. Much of this work is underpinned by academic university research so we can help influence the best possible suicide prevention policy for the benefit of the community."

They also carry out vital work in schools, teaching youngsters how to be emotionally resilient and develop emotional awareness and listening skills as well as explaining how they can turn to the service in their hour of need.

As a partner of Network Rail their free phone number is posted at train stations and high structures where suicides have occurred and they offer training and post incident support to staff.

If you want to talk to the Samaritans off the record about how you feel call their helpline on 01706 868686 (standard charges apply), Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or text to 07725 909090.

Visit www.samaritans.org/branches/rochdale-oldham-and-district-samaritans.