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History of Our Branch

In the early 70's a letter was published in the Derbyshire Times inviting anyone interested in forming a Samaritans branch to a meeting in the Chesterfield School of Technology - the date was February 24th 1971.

The writer was a man named Ray Jones who later became the first Director.

It was fitting that such a move should be made. Statistics proved beyond any reasonable doubt that cities and towns where a Samaritans Branch operated showed a marked decrease in the number of suicides.

The attendance and interest shown at that first meeting augured well for the project and with enthusiasm - if nothing else - plans went ahead for our own branch in Chesterfield.

An 'as hoc' committee got together and, after many disappointments, premises were found in the Mount Zion Chapel, Chatsworth Road.

The next few months were rather hectic. The four rooms we had rented had to be cleaned and decorated, the minimum office equipment had to be obtained and the need to raise money to do these things kept everybody busy. Training, of course went on all of the time to ensure that, when the great day came, there would be enough volunteers to man the branch albeit for restricted hours.

Help came from many quarters; experienced people came from surrounding branches and were invaluable in giving the comprehensive training necessary.

A provisional opening day was fixed, September 5th 1971, little more than six months after the first exploratory meeting. The deadline was met and the Centre opened at 3.00pm on that day with our own easy to remember telephone number and enough trained volunteers to operate form 2.00pm to 10.00pm. Soon our operating hours were extended to 21 hours a day and in 1976 full branch service was achieved with a round the clock service.

Mount Zion Chapel, as our Headquarters, had been invaluable, but circumstances beyond our control made it necessary to look for a new Samaritan Centre. In September 1976, we moved to 2, Rose Hill, the location and the extra space being great assets in the service which we can give.

It is difficult to imagine a time when Samaritan Centre was not available and, as long as there are Distressed and Suicidal callers, their work will go on.

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