Civic recognition for Samaritans after 30 years of local service

by David Flynn

The first gathering of the public since before Covid-19 in the council chamber of Athlone Civic Centre saw an address of recognition given to Athlone and Midland Samaritans for 30 years’ service in the locality. Samaritan volunteers joined with local councillors in the chamber for the honorary reception last week.

The address of recognition had been sought by Athlone Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke who deputised for Athlone Mayor, Cllr. Liam McDaniel, who couldn’t attend due to illness.

He welcomed the gathering of Samaritans to the Civic Centre, all of whom were volunteers, led by their Director, Marie Moran.

“What better way of marking a return to normal functioning than to host here this evening a Civic Reception for one of the most impactful, important and successful voluntary organisations in Athlone for the past thirty years,” said Cllr. O’Rourke at the reception on Wednesday last week.

The local organisation has been based in Court Devenish, Athlone since early 1992. The catchment area for the Athlone and Midlands Samaritans takes in four counties Westmeath, Offaly, Longford and Roscommon.

“In common with all other branches of the Samaritans around the country, the Athlone Midland Branch provides a non-judgemental 24/7 listening service to anyone who is despairing, suicidal, experiencing loneliness or simply needs to talk about their troubles in complete confidence,” said the Athlone Deputy Mayor.

He said that there are 95 volunteers in the branch in Athlone and the service responds to an average of 23,000 calls every year and that equates to approximately 64 calls a day… almost a call every 25 minutes on average!

“How many people today have peace of mind thanks to the quiet, modest but effective work of the volunteers?” said Cllr. O’Rourke rhetorically. “How many people are able to think straight once again – I suppose these are the questions we’ll never know the answers to but probably thousands of people.…. and more importantly how many people are alive today – in our lives perhaps and in our communities for sure, thanks to the amazing work of the Athlone and Midland Samaritans, working away every day beside us here in Court Devenish?”

The Athlone Deputy Mayor commented on the branch being an entirely voluntary, unpaid organisation, without state support, and he called it “unrivalled”.

Expenses at the branch include maintenance of the centre, telephone costs, insurance, heat and light and volunteer training. The branch is dependent on fundraising and donations and it is through the generosity of the community that it has been able to maintain its service down through the years.

“I want to acknowledge the volunteers who give their time in such a selfless way and they do so in a quiet and modest way, there is no credit or attention sought for the work they do,” he said.

He particularly cited for praise, thirteen individuals who have volunteered at Athlone Samaritans for the past 30 years.

Marie Moran is the Director of Athlone and Midland Samaritans and she told the gathering that the volunteers are committed to the aims of the Samaritans.

“It’s a great tribute to the commitment of volunteerism in the midlands that we have been able to maintain a cohort of around 95 volunteers, and it’s a special tribute to the 13 original volunteers, who remain almost anonymous, and we all work very quietly,” said the Samaritans Director.

She said the founders of Athlone Samaritans are the real heroes of the group, and they saw the need for such a branch, and did the trojan work to set up the branch.

“We are reaping the benefits of what they have done and their vision, and their bravery, and I would like to also pay tribute to our present volunteers,” said Marie. “They give selflessly of their time to be a listening ear to those who contact Samaritans, and we get calls from anywhere in the republic. It’s a free non-judgemental, confidential and active listening service. We can be contacted by a Freephone number or by email or by letter. We also give talks to schools or other organisations.”

The Samaritans Director said that they provide training and support to the listeners in Castlerea and Loughan House prisons, to enable them to “provide support to prisoners in distress”.

“One doesn’t have to be suicidal to contact the Samaritans and anyone who is lonely or stressed in any way can contact us,” said Marie.

She further said the Samaritans depends on donations, private and business and have always got strong local support from all over the midlands.

The Deputy Mayor, assisted by Athlone Municipal District manager, Jackie Finney presented a beautifully framed scroll from the council, to the Samaritans, in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the community.