Derby Samaritans is one of the oldest Samaritans branches, we took our first call on Friday 27 January 1961, which makes 2021 our golden jubilee year. Covid has curtailed our celebrations for the moment but when restrictions have eased we will be planning some events. Follow us on Twitter @DerbySamaritans to keep up to date.
Samaritans started in London in 1953, followed by the second branch in Edinburgh in 1959. Just two years later, Samaritans of Derby and District (to give us our full name) opened.
110 Burton Road, home of Derby Samaritans
Originally based on Ashbourne Road in Derby, we moved into our current premises at 110 Burton Road in 1963 so this has been our home for a very long time. We support all our callers from here, by phone and email. And in ‘normal’ times, we also listen to people who call into the branch, face-to-face, but at the moment we can’t do that.
We’re one of more than 200 branches and locations across the UK and Ireland, and our 90+ listening volunteers, along with around 22,000 other volunteers across the country, provide support to people who are struggling to cope, are in crisis, or are feeling suicidal, every day of the year. Our callers come from anywhere in the UK and abroad. For many years local branches only received calls from their area, but now the phone lines and email services are centralised it means that Samaritans can help people in distress 24/7. Here at Derby we’re able to provide listening support every day and through most nights. The more volunteers we have, the more hours we can give. If you’re interested in volunteering with us you can find out more about the different roles, what the listening volunteer training involves, the benefits of volunteering, and how to apply on our Volunteering with Derby Samaritans page.
Our branch director is Aileen Hammersley, and she is supported by a small leadership team, all of whom are also listening volunteers.
Our branch running costs, about £40,000 a year, have to be met entirely through donations. We’re really grateful to all our supporters, whether individuals, businesses or funding organisations. We couldn’t do what we do without this ongoing financial support. If you’d like to get involved there are lots of ways to donate or fundraise, and any amount will help us to answer more calls.
In August 2017, Samaritans Of Derby and District became a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). This required us to re-register with the Charity Commission, who are responsible for charities in England and Wales. As a result of re-registering, we were given a new charity number, 1174130. You can find out more about us since we became a CIO by visiting the Charity Commission website
Prior to August 2017, Samaritans Of Derby And District was registered in England and Wales with number 218064.
Samaritans Of Derby and District is a recognised branch of Samaritans.