Samaritans to close or merge five Scottish branches amid wider changes to service delivery

A suicide prevention charity is to close four branches in the Highlands and islands amid wider changes to its delivery of services across the UK.

Samaritans’ sites in Thurso, Shetland, Orkney and Stornoway are to be shut down, with the Elgin branch set to merge with Inverness.

Neil Mathers, executive director for Samaritans Scotland, said the charity is making changes throughout the UK in a bid to “strengthen volunteer capacity and provide more reliable support”.

He added: “This will help ensure callers can reach a volunteer more quickly, particularly during times when callers wait too long for an answer.

“Our helpline operates nationally, connecting callers to the next available volunteer wherever they are based.

“Anyone who needs support can continue to contact Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123.”

Samaritans runs 19 branches across Scotland and has provided a lifeline for people in crisis and distress since 1959.

Volunteers throughout the country spend a collective 60,000 hours answering calls and offering support every year.

Mr Mathers added: “Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are hugely grateful for the dedication and compassion shown by volunteers all over Scotland.

“We recognise that it is difficult for volunteers to hear their branch will close or change.

“We are working closely with the volunteers affected to offer support and explore new ways they can continue contributing to Samaritans’ work.

“Although the way we organise our listening service is changing, our commitment to communities remains the same.

“We will continue to be visible and active across Scotland, working with volunteers and partners to maintain local presence, outreach, and representation.”