North East Branch of Samaritans has announced details of a recruitment drive for volunteers.
The branch, which serves counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan, is inviting prospective volunteers to attend either of two information sessions Wednesday, February 4 at 7.30pm or Saturday, February 7 at 11am – in the centre at Number 2 Leland Place, Stockwell Street, Drogheda.
Members of the Samaritans team will present a talk and provide information on how one can become a volunteer and help with the branch’s vital work in the community.
The Drogheda & North East Branch, which was established in 1996, is led by a dedicated team of approximately 90 volunteers, and is keen to add to its numbers as demand for its services continues to increase.
In 2014, the branch took 11,738 calls, received 1,504 emails and 1,430 texts, while a total of 89 people visited the branch in person for a face-to-face meeting with its volunteer staff.
Speaking ahead of the volunteer recruitment drive, Director of Drogheda & North East Branch of Samaritans, Marie McCormack, said: ‘We see this as an ideal opportunity to tell prospective volunteers about our work and to reassure them that we offer comprehensive training for new recruits.
‘We have people from all walks of life, and all age groups, from early 20s to late 70s volunteering here. We train them to be listeners offering emotional support to those who contact us.
‘People can talk to us in confidence about any issue in their lives that may be causing them difficulty.’
For more information on the volunteer recruitment drive, please phone
041-9843844 (from 10.30am to 2pm, Monday to Friday), email droghedasams@gmail.com or visit www.samaritans.ie/drogheda <http://www.samaritans.ie/ drogheda>