Athlone Samaritans needs additional volunteers

Athlone Midland Samaritans are looking for new volunteers and will hold an information meeting next Thursday, September 1, in the Radisson Hotel, Athlone, at 8pm.

Samaritans are a confidential 24-hour service for people who are finding life difficult because of what is happening in their lives now or may have happened to them in the past. Some may also be thinking about ending their lives. Samaritan volunteers are there so that people can talk through the difficult situations they face in a confidential way without judgement.

People choose to volunteer for Samaritans for many different reasons – to help others, to give something back, to do something meaningful and primarily because they believe in what the Samaritans service provides. Samaritan volunteers are ordinary men and women of all ages and from all backgrounds. Comprehensive training is provided and you don’t need special qualifications. Volunteers freely give of their time to listen and help people talk though their worries and concerns.

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.

The organisation was honoured with a civic reception by Westmeath County Council last year, to mark its 30th anniversary.

The reception heard that there are 95 volunteers in the branch in Athlone of which 13 volunteers who started with the local branch in 1992 are still volunteering on a weekly basis.