Newbury MP Lee Dillon visits West Berkshire Samaritans to discuss importance of mental health services

Newbury MP Lee Dillon visited the West Berkshire branch of Newbury Samaritans on Monday.

A team of Samaritans told Mr Dillon about the work they do; how essential it is and how it helps to reduce the strain on NHS mental health services.

But with the phone ringing nonstop, more volunteers are always needed.

“Whenever I press the button saying I’m ready to take a call, I’ve never waited longer than 30 seconds,” branch director Andrew told newburytoday.

“As for the bulk of calls coming in, I don’t think it’s changed that much since Covid.

“It was very high during Covid when people were stuck in their homes.

“We do signpost people to mental health organisations.

“These can be around addiction, counselling and therapy and then NHS mental health services as well.”

Newbury Samaritans, based in West Street, provides a free and confidential face to face, listening and email service for people struggling with mental health issues — not just suicidal.

Each cohort of volunteers is locally trained and can take anywhere up to 100 calls a day.

Their shifts range from two to five hours, day and night, and some also lend support at Newbury Soup Kitchen, Newbury Pride, community cafes and at West Berks Foodbank in Newbury and Thatcham.

Volunteer Tessa said: “We’re not here just to cheer people up.

“We make sure that if somebody wants to talk to us, it’s about what they want to talk about.

“Sometimes small talk or a light conversation with the right skills can turn into something quite deeper with people saying things they might perhaps not share with other people, because they know we are anonymous.”

Helena, a volunteer for three months, said: “It’s such a steep learning curve, but the training is so professional.”

But what about the mental wellbeing of its volunteers?

“We’re not mental health professionals, though there are people among us who are,” Andrew added.

“The volunteers are trained to provide support for other volunteers.”

And with mounting pressures on the NHS, where does this leave charities like Samaritans?

Andrew continued: “We hear there are very few mental health professionals allocated per capita, per population.

“At our AGM about three years ago, we had a mental health professional from West Berkshire and I think she was one of two. We want more mental health professionals.”

Newbury Samaritans’ phone and email service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No referral is required.

Please email jo@samaritans.org or call 116 123 for support, which is free from any phone.

Branch opening hours for face to face support is:

Monday 8am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm,

Tuesday 8am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm,

Wednesday 8am to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm,

Thursday 8am to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm,

Friday 8am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm,

Saturday 8am to 2pm,

And Sunday 5pm to 9pm.