Samaritans Announces Closure of 100+ Branches in Ireland and UK

Samaritans, the renowned mental health charity, has unveiled plans to close at least 100 branches across Ireland and the United Kingdom over the next seven to ten years. The decision aims to transition volunteers into larger regional hubs and explore remote call handling, stirring concern among many long-time volunteers.

In a video message shared with its volunteers, CEO Julie Bentley indicated that the charity intends to reduce its current network of around 200 branches by at least half. Samaritans operates 16 branches in the Republic of Ireland and eight in Northern Ireland, with a total of approximately 1,500 volunteers on the island, which is notably smaller than its UK counterpart that boasts over 23,000 active volunteers.

This strategic move is part of a broader initiative to enhance operational efficiency while minimizing the costs associated with maintaining numerous physical locations. According to Bentley, “Much of our fundraising income is currently directed towards maintaining bricks and mortar, rather than being utilized to improve our services.” She emphasized that the charity's helpline, reachable at 116 123, will continue to operate throughout any restructuring.

The rationale behind these changes reflects a growing need to adapt to the evolving demands of both callers and volunteers. Samaritans reported that its helplines receive a call every ten seconds, underscoring the critical need for accessible mental health support. However, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions, with some volunteers expressing apprehension that the transition could lead to a 'call center-style' model, detracting from the community atmosphere fostered in smaller branches.

Concerns have been raised about the implications for older volunteers who may struggle to travel to larger hubs, as well as the challenges of remote volunteering, particularly in handling sensitive calls from home environments. One volunteer articulated the sentiment, stating, “It does change the absolute basis of how we have worked... almost every single volunteer that I have spoken to has said if they introduce call centres, we’re out.”

Despite these concerns, Samaritans maintains that remote volunteering could also attract individuals unable to travel, particularly for night shifts that are often harder to fill. The charity has committed to engaging with its volunteers before finalizing any plans, with a decision expected by September.

Financially, the charity's annual accounts for 2023-24 revealed a fund of £7 million (€8 million) allocated for fixed assets, alongside a property maintenance fund of £28,000 and a branch support fund of £287,000. With charitable income totaling £24.6 million, the organization has faced declining income over the past three years while costs continue to rise, leading to postponed projects due to funding shortfalls.

Bentley noted, “Samaritans provides a life-saving service, day and night, 365 days a year, but the changing needs of our callers and volunteers means thinking differently about the way our services need to work.” As the charity seeks to navigate these challenges, it faces the dual task of maintaining its commitment to mental health support while ensuring operational sustainability.

As Samaritans prepares for these significant changes, the implications for its volunteer structure, fundraising strategy, and service delivery will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics. The charity's commitment to placing volunteers at the heart of its service remains a focal point as it embarks on this transformative journey.