But a Scottish branch manager has told The Herald that their small office, along with many others, could close as part of the central charity’s restructuring process.
The manager, who asked to remain anonymous due to fears of retribution, said: “Samaritans Central Charity has a futureproofing agenda that is about centralisation. There has been a great deal of resistance from volunteers across the UK.
Samaritans has confirmed it will close branches as part of plans for the future (Alamy/PA)
“Resistance has been particularly strong in Scotland and Wales where ceasing outreach in farming communities and closing small rural branches will have a huge impact.”
The manager added: “As all but three Scottish branches are fairly small, most Scottish branches could close if the central charity goes ahead with branch closures. Volunteers have been working hard to resist centralisation and propose alternatives.”
Samaritan branches in Scotland are currently located in Aberdeen, Caithness, Dumfries, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Elgin, Falkirk, Glasgow, Greenock, Hamilton, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Orkney, Perth, Selkirk, Shetland, and Stornoway.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Samaritans UK confirmed that the charity was at the beginning of a long process of ‘identifying the best way forward’.
They noted: “Scotland is one of our Pathfinder areas so branches in that area will be part of the first wave of deciding how we get to a point of having fewer but larger branches in future that help us answer more calls from people in crisis.
“There is currently no view at central Samaritans on expected closures, mergers or relocations because we are at the beginning of the process of working with volunteers on identifying the best way forward for this Pathfinder area.”
According to the charity, branches in Scotland, along with South East England, Yorkshire, and Humberside, will serve as ‘pathfinders’ for wider restructuring.
The charity says it will scale up and merge some branches, while ‘regretably’ closing others.
A volunteer from Lochaber in the Highlands participates in a 2022 mental health campaign.
It is expected that at least 100 branches will close across the UK and Ireland over the next decade.
In a statement, the charity said: “From April 2026, the charity will work with volunteer leaders to find the best model for the future, which will include the scaling up, mergers and regrettably closures of some branches.
“The learnings will then shape next steps in the rest of the UK but this will not be before the end of 2028.”
The changes will also see Samaritans’ online chat service expanded, with an aim to provide the service 24/7/365.
The chat option is currently available six days a week for a limited set of hours.
However, some volunteers, especially in rural areas, have raised concerns over the impact of closing smaller branches.
According to The Guardian, the charity wants to transition to a ‘smaller number of larger brick branches”.
One volunteer told the paper: “It does change the absolute basis of how we have worked and the understanding of our need to be in a safe place where we have support as callers. Would the ambulance service suddenly decide to have people take calls in their home?
“The current system has operated very successfully for 70 years. Now they’re thinking of dismantling it, and in a way that I think has upset a lot of volunteers. A lot of us are anxious and worried.
The Samaritans provide support to thousands of British people each year. (Image: Canva)
“Almost every single volunteer that I have spoken to has said if they introduce call centres, we’re out. As well as helping others, people volunteer for their own mental health, to go to a safe space and meet like-minded people.”
A letter to the charity’s trustees from 48 branch managers from across the UK echoed these concerns, stating: “With regard to proposed future-proofing plans, what does the research indicate regarding how many volunteers are projected to leave Samaritans when branches close?
“While it is only one example, the loss of 85% of Volunteers following the closure of Folkestone Branch (when the next closest Branch was only about 17 miles away) provides some evidence that the idea of volunteers travelling is flawed.”
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In a statement, Julie Bentley, Samaritans’ chief executive, said: “Although making these changes will be challenging for us, it is a challenge we are determined to face. The plans we announce today will help us be here for more people who need our support, in the moment they need us the most. A moment too late isn’t an option for us.
“With the incredible service of our wonderful volunteers and the support of the public, we can respond to even more people in need, so no one feels like they have no choice but to take their own life. Together, we can prevent suicide.”
