I am a volunteer in the north-east of England and I and many of our volunteers have felt very unhappy about the proposed changes. It is really rewarding being a Samaritan, but can also be very challenging. Volunteers need a high degree of motivation, and this has inevitably been affected by the proposals. Interestingly, in 2021 our chair, Keith Leslie, published A Question of Leadership, which is about leading organisational change.
Julie Bentley, the mental health charity's chief executive, told the Guardian the organisation will set up three-year regional projects co-created with volunteers to develop more efficient ways of working, including branch mergers and closures. She described the changes as evolution not revolution, but conceded the Samaritans would operate a smaller branch network in future. Change needs to happen, let's make sure it happens in a clear and considered way, she said.