Chesterfield Samaritans celebrates 50th anniversary – and your help is needed

Those are the words of Jane Tweedy, director of the Chesterfield branch of the Samaritans, as the vital charity celebrates its 50th anniversary in the town.

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Over the last five decades, volunteers with Chesterfield Samaritans – more commonly known as listeners – have been there for many thousands of individuals in need of confidential emotional support.

Now, as the branch marks its special anniversary, an appeal has been sounded for more volunteers and donations to ensure the service can keep going.

Jane, who has been a listener for 20 years and branch director since April, told the Derbyshire Times: "We are proud to have been supporting the community for 50 years.

"Indeed it was an advert in the Derbyshire Times that acted as a rallying call for people to form Chesterfield Samaritans.

"Chesterfield Samaritans supported our first caller on September 5, 1971, and have continued to be there for both local and national callers continuously for the next 50 years.

"Even during the uncertain times of the pandemic, our volunteers have continued to maintain the service – giving emotional support to those who have both called and emailed Samaritans.

"In less challenging times, our branch has supported the local soup kitchen, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Network Rail, HMP Sudbury and local schools, and had a presence at Chesterfield's medieval markets, Christmas markets and Pride events, to name just a few."

Jane said listeners take calls about 'anything and everything' throughout the day and during the night.

They include people experiencing relationship problems and employment issues as well as those in distress and on the brink of suicide.

During the pandemic and lockdowns, many calls have, of course, been from individuals concerned about coronavirus – and a lot of lonely people have been turning to the Samaritans for someone to talk to.

At Chesterfield Samaritans, there are 64 listeners and support team volunteers.

Jane said: "I see the 50th anniversary as a way to raise awareness to both potential callers and prospective listening volunteers – who we're always on the lookout for.

"Being a listener is incredibly rewarding – you make a difference to people’s lives and that is a wonderful feeling.

"A lot of people have nobody to turn to so they contact us and know we're not going to judge them.

"We don't offer advice, we listen – and so many people appreciate that.

"After all, a problem shared is a problem halved."

She added: "Volunteers undergo careful and extensive training and are supported by a friendly and experienced team.

"Our focus is always on the people who contact us but the working environment for our listeners is extremely supportive.

"We're like a family here – and I'm so proud of the team and to be a part of it."

According to Jane, it costs £70 every day to keep the Chesterfield branch of the Samaritans open.

She said: "It gets harder every passing year to keep our heads above water – so I'd like to appeal to residents and businesses to continue supporting us with their generous donations.

"Thank you to everyone who helps Chesterfield Samaritans so we can be here for people."

Members of the public are invited to visit www.samaritans.org/branches/chesterfield for more information about volunteering opportunities and how to make donations to Chesterfield Samaritans.

Initially based on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield Samaritans moved to Rose Hill in 1976 before relocating to its current location on Saltergate in 2015.

On Sunday, an event will be held at the branch to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Among those in attendance will be volunteers and Chesterfield's Mayor, who is raising funds for Chesterfield Samaritans during her time in the role.

Looking ahead, the branch hopes to soon launch a live online chat service so people can talk to a listener this way if they want to do so.

"We recognise that many people – in particularly young people – now prefer to speak online so we think this new service will be really important and help many out there," Jane said.

At some point, it is also hoped people will be able to start going into the branch again to speak to listeners in-person – this is currently suspended as a result of the pandemic.

"With the support of the wonderful residents of Chesterfield, we’re looking forward to growing and helping even more people in the future," Jane said.

"Here’s to the next 50 years!"

Samaritans fact file

Samaritans was founded by a vicar called Chad Varah in London in 1953. He came up with the idea after conducting a funeral for a 14-year-old girl who had started her period but had nobody to talk to and took her own life as she feared she had a sexually transmitted disease. Mr Varah said: “In an emergency the citizen turns to the telephone and dials 999. There ought to be an emergency number for suicidal people, I thought.” The first call to the new service was made on November 2, 1953. Today, Samaritans has more than 20,000 volunteers and 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Every day, Samaritans volunteers respond to around 10,000 calls for help.

How to contact the Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. The charity is here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123, free of charge, or email [email protected]

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