ORGANISATIONS and groups wanting to work with the Samaritans to help people in distress are being invited to contact the new director for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Larry Coulston.

Larry has been a volunteer in the branch for some 17 years and now is in charge of the 120 volunteers who handle calls from about 20,000 local people each year.

He said: "More and more outside organisations are beginning to turn to Samaritans to take advantage of more than 40 years of acquired skills and this is an area where I hope to continue to build over the next the next three years.

"There are 120 Samaritan centres in the UK and Ireland and the Pendle branch is one of our most forward looking.

"There are at least two people on duty in our centre at 15 Market Street, Nelson, every minute of the night and day, 365 days of the year." The Samaritans ensures trained and experienced staff are always available to offer back up to people taking the calls.

Larry said: "training is essential. Listing and communications skills, suicide awareness and the ability to cope with extremely distressing situations are all part of Samaritan training and preparation.

"I have three simple messages to the people of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale firstly if you need someone to talk to call the centre any time and secondly if you think you could be a volunteer call.

"If you are an organisation or group that can work with us at trying to relieve the misery and despair and to reduce the appalling numbers of people who take their own life or self-harm please contact me on 01282 694929 or 01706 830999."

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