The Blackburn Branch of the SAMARITANS has elected their new Director.

She is Margaret Jepson (pictured left) and has been a SAMARITANS volunteer for 8 years.

Elected to serve as Director for three years Margaret is well placed to fulfil her new role.

Joining the SAMARITANS in 1999 Margaret has already balanced the roles of working wife with the challenges that her new position brings.

Serving as the local branch of SAMARITAN'S Committee Chair and on the local SAMARITAN'S training team, which involves the training of SAMARITANS to ensure that all callers to the Branch receive a consistently high service, Margaret is well placed to take on the responsibility of Director.

Living in Darwen and Blackburn for over 50 years, educated at Darwen Grammer School, Margaret went on to train as a teacher of Home Economics. Teaching for two years in Birmingham then returning to Blackburn to teach in various secondary schools in Blackburn, including what is now Our Lady of St.John High School and St. Mary's Sixth Form College.

Margaret went on to train teachers at Liverpool's John Moores University before becoming European Vice President for the International Federation for Home Economics, which provided her the opportunity to travel extensively abroad.

Throughout her years of service with the Charity Margaret has combined her positions at work, home, meetings or conferences with her role as a local volunteer ensuring that all callers who are in distress or despair can be guaranteed that their call is confidential and that Samaritans will provide them with emotional support.

Handing over the position of Director is Mrs Judith Houghton (pictured right), having served a second term as Director, Judith remains at the Branch as a volunteer and will also be fulfilling other roles within the Samaritan movement at a regional and national level.