Samaritans urged to reconsider branch closure

3 hours ago

David McKennaand

Lara King,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — The charity says the plans are part of a programme to strengthen and modernise the service

Getty Images A Samaritans sign on a railing in front of some bushes. The sign is bright green with black and white writing and gives their contact number - 116 123 -, alongside the words 'talk to us if things are getting to you'. — The charity says the plans are part of a programme to strengthen and modernise the service

The leader of North Lincolnshire Council has urged the Samaritans to reconsider plans to close its Scunthorpe branch and charity shop.

Council leader Rob Waltham has written to the charity's chief executive, Julie Bentley, calling for the proposals to be put on hold until at least the end of January 2027.

He said the delay would give volunteers and local partners time to develop an alternative plan to keep the service operating.

The charity said the plans were part of a programme to strengthen and modernise the service, with a network of fewer larger branches across the UK.

Google Google street view of a two-storey red-brick building with Samaritans signage above the entrance. The building stands on a street corner close to a road junction. — Waltham is calling on the charity to reconsider plans to close its Scunthorpe branch and charity shop

According to the council, the proposed closure of the Lindum Street branch and the charity shop on Ashby High Street would threaten a long-established local institution.

Waltham said: "This is a deeply disappointing proposal and I am urging Samaritans to think again. For generations, dedicated local volunteers have supported people through some of the most difficult periods of their lives."

He said the Ashby High Street base was "much more than a fundraising outlet" and that closing it would put "decades of experience, local knowledge and community goodwill at risk".

He added the council was offering to help find another way forward before "any irreversible decisions are taken".

The local Samaritans branch in Grimsby is also scheduled to close.

Tracey Thompson, assistant director of service delivery (North), said Grimsby and Scunthorpe had "played an important role in Samaritans" but the charity had taken the "difficult decision" to close the branches to ensure the service remained sustainable in the long term.

She said Samaritans planned "to move towards a network of fewer, larger branches across the UK" over the next decade, adding: "These changes will help us protect and sustain our life-saving service in the future."

The charity said it was working with those affected to provide support and explore options for them to continue volunteering with Samaritans.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices