Welcome from the Bournemouth Samaritans Director

The Samaritans of Bournemouth & District serves a population of around 450,000 who live in towns and villages throughout Dorset and Hampshire.

The Branch was founded in March 1961, operating from one room at St Peter’s Church Hall equipped with a telephone, a table and some chairs. Night calls were transferred to the homes of the volunteers!

Today home for the Branch is a delightful house in Durrant Road. The premises provide a functional place of work for more than a hundred volunteers as well as a welcoming and comfortable haven for visitors.

The branch is forward looking. Its volunteers and supporters are willing to accept and implement changes that are necessary to ensure the provision of a service relevant to the needs of 21st Century Callers to Samaritans.

As well as answering the telephones, seeing Callers face-to-face and replying to letters, volunteers now offer support by e-mail and text messaging.

The branch has a strong history of Reaching Out to the local community. Volunteers regularly visit schools, Homes for the Elderly, local shopping malls, Shows and Carnivals to raise awareness. They also give talks to a wide range of Organisations about the work of Samaritans. Since 1997 volunteers have gone regularly to Dorchester Prison, initially to support prisoners, now to train and support Listeners.

It is a great privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team of Deputy Directors, volunteers and supporters of Bournemouth & District Samaritans.

Janet Isaac
Director of Bournemouth & District Samaritans