Samaritans Liverpool to be presented King’s Award as part of 65th birthday

A lifeline charity for people in distress will be presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service as part of its 65th anniversary celebrations.

Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside will be hosting a special service at the Liver Building on Saturday 1 March.

It coincides with the exact date 65 years ago when the branch received its first call in the crypt at Liverpool Parish Church.

Today the charity has more than 180 volunteers who give up their free time to provide round-the-clock emotional support from their Clarence Street base.

Among them is 98-year-old Joan Morle, from Formby, who has been an active member of the branch for 50 years.

“To have been going for 65 years is a wonderful achievement.

“I got involved after speaking to a a mum-of-three on the street where I live, who left the house every other Tuesday morning.

“Eventually, I asked her: ‘Where on earth do you  go on a Tuesday?’ She told me: ‘I’m a Samaritan’ – and  I thought, ‘That’s a nice thing to do.’

“Mental health issues used to be very much hidden away but things have changed over the years and I think callers are more open these days.

“But the one thing that’s always stayed the same is the importance of listening.”

Another volunteer who has clocked up half a century of service is Eric Yarker.

“In 1975 I thought about joining something like the Samaritans and doing some voluntary work,” he explained. “I came down and spoke to someone at the centre, which was then on Slater Street, and I eventually joined. It was so difficult for me at the start. I was thinking, ‘What do you do? How do you answer? How do you help?’

“As time goes on you find ways of just listening. You get an awareness and perspective of how difficult it is for some people. The main thing about Samaritans is that it’s a little space to help people, that’s how I see it. We try to make callers feel welcome and that we are with them at all times.”

Last year, Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside was named as a recipient of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE and the highest honour a voluntary group can receive.

The Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool, as well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, and the Mayor of Sefton, will be among the special guests in attendance at the upcoming service.

They will witness Merseyside’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mark Blundell, present the King’s Award to branch director Helen Gilbert.

“We are very proud that the amazing work and commitment of our volunteers has been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“To receive the award on the 65th anniversary of the branch makes it extra special. It is amazing to think how long we’ve been supporting people who are struggling to cope and our service –  providing a safe place for people to talk about their feelings in confidence and without judgement – is needed more than ever.”

Find out more information about Samaritans Liverpool here or contact them any time for free on 116 123.

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