Burglary Update

Thanks to overwhelming support from the public and fellow Samaritans branches, Walsall and District branch will be back in business tomorrow - just one week after being broken into.

On Saturday 2 March the team arrived at the ransacked office to find that much of their equipment had been either stolen or damaged, including three computers, phone systems, training aids, and even their tea and biscuit supply! With their 65 listening volunteers unable to answer the 900 calls and 300 texts and emails they receive every month, the branch shared the sad news of the burglary online. The story, including the fundraising page set up by one of their volunteers, was covered by local press, including BBC and ITV..

Our Walsall team were soon inundated by messages of support and offers of help from many communities in the area, with the local council helping enhance the office security system and members of the public donating raffle prizes to replace those stolen.

Thanks to the combination of volunteers stepping in straight away to clean up the office, plus the gift of two new computers from Central Office and generous donations from fellow Samaritans around the UK, the branch is now ready to re-open and will be fully operational tomorrow (Saturday 9 March) to help support our callers.

Steve Gifford, Walsall and District Deputy Director, said: “While we were devastated by the burglary, we have been truly blown away by the incredible levels of support offered from all across the UK in the days since.

“With the branch set to celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, the support has been a fantastic reminder of how much the work our volunteers do is valued by the communities we strive to help. As we move forward from this rollercoaster week, I’d like to say a special thank you to all the volunteers and branches who helped get our office back on track, especially Mandy, Sharon, Steve, Lindsey, Hannah and Anne.”