Llandrindod's Samaritans branch could be under threat

Powys County Times

9 hours ago

UNCERTAINTY clouds the future of Powys' sole Samaritans branch, after the suicide prevention charity announced that at least half of its offices in the UK will close.
The proposals were revealed in a video message to staff earlier this month, sent by the leadership of the charity.
It is believed there is no definitive view on how many branches the charity will close, but chief executive Julie Bentley said: 'It's likely that within the next seven to 10 years our branch network will have (been) reduced by at least half.
'With less branches, we'll look to move to fewer but bigger regions.'
Samaritans has more than 200 branches across the UK. Llandrindod Wells is the only one in Powys and one of 10 in Wales.
The list of branches which could close has not been decided; though if the charity's board agrees to the plans at a meeting in September, the changes will begin in April in the UK and 2027 in Ireland.
In response to the closures, Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor, expressed particular concern on the impact the closures will have on the Welsh Government's suicide prevention strategy.
He called for 'urgent explanations' from the Welsh Government. 'The work that the Samaritans do day in, day out is invaluable,' he said.
'The news of so many branches closing will be met with disappointment and fear in Wales and across the UK.
'We need urgent explanations from the Welsh Government about what this means for Wales' mental health and suicide prevention strategy.
'We must also recognise the invaluable service offered by the Samaritans through the medium of Welsh – a service that we must try to protect.'
Founded in 1953, the Samaritans focus on preventing suicides by connecting trained volunteers with people who are struggling.
The charity estimates it answers a call for help every 10 seconds.
The news comes as the charity launched a groundbreaking project at the Royal Welsh Show to reduce suicide in farming communities.
Samaritans Cymru is setting out to break the cycle of suicide risk in rural Wales by launching the 'Our Farming, Our Future' project.
The project will work closely with Wales Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) in Ceredigion, Brecknock, Montgomery and Radnorshire to develop peer-led activities and resources that can be cascaded across farming communities to reduce the risk of suicide in rural areas.
Powys Samaritans is the youngest Samaritans branch (premises based) in the UK and was set up in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak in 1994.
Over the last 31 years the branch has moved from a one-bedroomed flat to renting a larger premises; and it now owns an entire building on the spa town's High Street, comprising of upstairs rooms for listening volunteers and training, in addition to a charity shop on the ground floor which brings in the majority of funding.