50 YEARS OF LISTENING BY OUR VOLUNTEERS
Hillingdon Samaritans are celebrating 50 years of supporting the local community – and now, with a nationwide phone system – the wider community. That’s half a century of offering emotional support to anyone who’s struggling to cope or needs a listening ear.
We are not a religious organisation; however, we were founded by the Rev. Derek Strange, with the support of volunteers from across the community in 1973. Originally, we were based in rooms at Christchurch, Redford Way, Uxbridge.
The original Hillingdon 'branch' at Christchurch
A room at Christchurch, where Samaritans of Hillingdon was originally based
From the outset we were active in the local community, raising awareness of our services and engaging with supports and potential volunteers. This has remained a core part of what we do to the present day.
‘Arnold’ the Samaritans bus in Ruislip, 1983
Volunteers at Ruislip Lyons Fun Day, 1982
With the help of a Greater London Council (GLC) grant, we acquired our own premises in 1984 at 2 Press Road, Uxbridge, five minutes’ walk from the bus and tube stations, and we continue to be based there to this day.
Our branch at 2 Press Road in the 1990s
In the early 1990s we joined forces with other Samaritans branches to enable us to share calls and reduce the number of people finding our number engaged. Over time this has evolved into the single freephone number (116123) that we have today.
An article from Harefield Gazette in 1998 acknowledging our 25th anniversary
Throughout our history we have continued to evolve and to embrace technology and new opportunities to provide support. For example, in 2020 we were one of a small number of Samaritans branches to pilot and new Web Chat service. This follows on the back of many other innovations, such as the introduction of support by email.
As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we look forward to many more years supporting the community in Hillingdon and beyond.
Anniversary Fundraising Campaigns
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our attention is very much turned towards securing the long-term financial future of our branch.
With costs rising, we need to raise more than £25,000 each year to fund our core activities. In addition, we are seeking to raise additional funds to improve our premises, which require modification to meet the latest standard for energy efficiency and to offer greater accessibility for volunteers and service users.
With no paid staff, all functions, including fundraising, are performed by volunteers.
Whilst costs are very modest when compared to similar organisations, Samaritans of Hillingdon will receive no regular grant funding from 2023 onwards, and so we must raise sufficient funds each year to cover all of our needs.
To find out more about how you can help us please click here
To support our Golden Appeal and sponsor Hillingdon Samaritans for a day please visit www.hillingdonsamaritans.org.uk/
Or to support of Anniversary Crowdfunding Campaign (15th March - 27th May 2023) please click here