Could you be a good Samaritan?

The group is making a plea to members of the local community to sign up to support people who may not have anywhere else to turn.

Working with the organisation enables volunteers to touch another person’s life when it really matters, either by giving them the time to talk through how they are feeling or by helping to keep the charity’s branches running. A few spare hours each week are all that is needed.

Based at 45 Mount Street in Ballymena, the branch currently has 60 active listening volunteers, but is always looking to recruit more people to ensure they can continue to offer a listening ear to the local community.

Margaret Black said: “Comprehensive training is given and on-going support is always available in the branch.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more about volunteering can contact the Samaritans at [email protected] or by phoning the Ballymena branch of Samaritans between 7:30pm and 10:00pm daily on 028 2565 0000.

For further information email [email protected] or visit the website at www.samaritans.org.

Anyone who wishes to talk in confidence to the Samaritans should call 08457 90 90 90 or e-mail [email protected].