Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Samaritans volunteers are expressing their concerns over the proposed closure of more than 100 branches. If this plan is supported at an upcoming meeting, hundreds of volunteers have stated that they will leave the suicide prevention charity. The potential exodus of staff raises doubts about the charity’s ability to effectively answer calls.
The controversial plans, announced in July, involve shutting down at least half of the Samaritans branches in the UK and Ireland. Volunteers would be expected to work from larger offices or remotely from home as the charity shifts to a more remote working model. Samaritans argue that these changes will enable them to respond to more calls, reduce wait times, and attract more volunteers.
Despite the charity leadership’s insistence that these changes are essential for the sustainability and efficiency of their services, critics fear that the proposed closures will have a devastating impact on the organization’s local presence. Many volunteers are deeply attached to their communities and are concerned about the implications of branch closures on mental health outreach.
Opposition to the plans has been steadily growing, with concerns raised across various branches. There are calls for more transparency from the charity’s leadership regarding the rationale behind the closures. Volunteers like James Watkins and Mark Watkins are apprehensive about the uncertainties that come with the remote working model, emphasizing the importance of local support and connections. The future of Samaritans hangs in the balance as the organization navigates this period of dissent and uncertainty
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.