Worthing Samaritans volunteers 'blown away' by public support amid campaign to save branch

Around 30 volunteers gathered at Montague Gardens on Saturday, October 31, to raise awareness of the planned closure of the charity’s Lennox Road branch.

Members of the branch handed out thousands of leaflets to residents who were ‘very shocked’ to hear about the plans.

Volunteer Jim Pollard said: “We got a very good reception from them. It's clear that Samaritans is a really well-thought-of charity."

The charity's central office informed volunteers its Worthing branch would close at the end of November as part of restructuring plans.

More than 6,000 people have now signed a petition, at www.change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-worthing-samaritans, calling on the charity to reconsider its decision.

Saturday’s event was attended by Worthing Borough Council leader Caroline Baxter, Worthing West MP Beccy Cooper and Councillor Martin McCabe.

Last week, all 37 Worthing Borough councillors backed a letter to Samaritans chief executive Julie Bentley, appealing for the charity to reconsider its decision.

Mr Pollard said this signified a ‘strength of feeling’, adding: “It’s something that’s really united the community.”

The letter also called for ‘meaningful consultation’ with volunteers and a full review of the wider impact on ‘already pressured’ local services.

Cllr Baxter said: “Whatever our political differences, we are united in recognising the importance of our Samaritans branch and the contribution its volunteers make to our town.

“We are asking Samaritans to pause the closure, engage properly with local partners and work with us to explore every reasonable alternative. There is still an opportunity to find a better way forward, but that requires a willingness to listen.”

Dr Cooper has also written to the Minister of Civil Justice, calling for the closure to be halted and for volunteers to be treated ‘with respect and dignity’.

Mr Pollard said the support from the public and local representatives had made him and fellow volunteers ‘hopeful’.

He added: “We've been absolutely blown away by the level of public support, how strongly people in Worthing seem to feel about it.

“Ultimately, the fact that Samaritans is a force for good makes us hopeful that [central office] will see they're making a mistake and change their minds.”