At 9am on 1st June 1959, David Arthur opened the door to the public of the first Samaritans branch in Edinburgh. Today marks 60 years of the Samaritans in Edinburgh and Scotland.
We are the second oldest branch in the UK. Our founders read an article in the “Scotsman’s Log”, written by Wilfred Taylor, which described the work at St. Stephens, Walbrook with Chad Varah. The article invited anyone interested to contact Chad, and half a dozen people, who would be our first listening volunteers, did and 9 months later the branch opened at St. George’s in Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Our branch, now at 25 Torphichen Street, are immensely proud of the volunteers, past and present, who have continued to support people around the clock. We are equally proud that we started the chain reaction in the development of Samaritans as a movement throughout the UK and Ireland.
There have been so many changes in the last 60 years, both in society and within our own organisation, but the desire to be there to listen to others and support them during difficult times motivates today’s volunteers in the same way it compelled our volunteers 60 years ago.
In 2018, our branches supported nearly 45,000 people, who made the decision to talk to us, and whilst, today marks the start of a year of celebration for us, our focus remains on being there for the people who need us.
If you would like to leave us a birthday message – follow us on twitter@EdinSamaritans or if you’ve been involved with us and would like to help us mark this birthday, email us and join in our celebrations.
EDINBURGH INFORMATION SESSION
On the 1st June 1959, Edinburgh & the Lothians opened its doors for the first time to people who needed to talk. Since that day, there have been many changes in society and in our branch, but two elements have never changed: the value of being able to give someone a place to talk, and the need for volunteers to join our branch to ensure that we can be there to listen.
Our aim, over the next 12 months, is to recruit 60 volunteers to our branch.
If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunities available at our branch, join us on Saturday 15th June at 10:30am to find out more about what it means to be a Samaritans Volunteer and what the recruitment process is.
There is more information in our volunteering pages about the different volunteer roles available and you’ll be able to complete an enquiry form to come to our information session.
What are you waiting for? Enquiry today and be one of the 60 for 60!
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