Samaritans Brierley Hill Branch - Where did it all begin?

Mrs Elsie Smith, the wife of the local vicar came up with the idea of establishing a Branch of the Samaritans in Brierley Hill in 1971. She promoted a public meeting in Dudley, which was well attended and from this a Branch Steering Committee was set up.

This Committee was responsible for raising the money needed to design and construct a Branch, the location of which was to be under St. Michael’s Church Hall in Brierley Hill. Construction started in December 1971 and the Branch opened in April 1973.

Brierley Hill was the 137th Branch of Samaritans to be set up and the first call was from Chad Varah, who founded the Samaritan movement and was taken at 7.30am on 22nd April, 1973.

In 1987, the Branch learnt that it was the beneficiary of the will of Beryl Margery Hill, who had been a founder member of the Branch and a volunteer for several years. This enabled the Branch to move to it’s new home in Albion Street, Brierley Hill, in November 1993 and was officially opened on 30th April, 1994.

In 1996, the Branch was twinned with the Samaritans Matale Branch in Sri Lanka and Brierley Hill support their costs whilst keeping in touch with them on a regular basis.

Over the past decade, Samaritans Brierley Hill has continued to be a vital source of support for the local community, responding to a growing number of people in emotional distress. Operating from Beryl House on Albion Street, a dedicated team of around 70 volunteers now assists approximately 600 callers each month from individuals seeking help.

The nature of concerns has evolved slightly, with financial hardship, job loss, loneliness; especially among older adults, and mental health struggles becoming more prominent. Volunteers receive extensive training to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and calm, often helping callers navigate moments of deep crisis.

Despite the emotional toll, many volunteers find the work deeply rewarding. Occasionally, a simple “thank you” from a caller is enough to reaffirm the importance of their role. The Branch continues to welcome new volunteers and encourages anyone with a few hours to spare each week to consider joining their compassionate community.

May its story continue to inspire future generations to carry forward the mission and may every call answered be a reminder that kindness still thrives. 💚