Brief History of Belfast Samaritans

That which Chad Varah had begun in London was copied in 11 other centres in England and Scotland before the Belfast meeting took place. That exploratory gathering was set the task of evaluating the local situation. They were required to find out whether a branch needed to be or could be formed. Bill Thomson, a Presbyterian minister in Ballymacarrett in Belfast, was asked to be the first Director (a position he held till his untimely death in 1974). He was joined by the Rev Jim Musgrave, a Church of Ireland Rector, and Sidney Callaghan, a Methodist Minister and Joyce and Lorna who were the two ladies who largely initiated the exploratory meeting. Subsequently, Father Hugh Murphy joined the Directorate. A further meeting was held in September to formally establish the branch (pictured right) attended by the members of the first Directorate along with Robin Kinahan, the branch’s first Chair and Rev Peacock, Dean of St Anne’s Cathdral. Guest of honour was Rev Chad Varah, founder of Samaritans. This broad-based leadership and cross community participation was, from the start, inherent in how the Branch operated and gained a credibility as a non-judgemental group of people who had "no axe to grind" but who simply want to be available to and accepting of all in any sort of need. The actual setting up of the branch owed much to Bill Thomson's gifts of leadership coupled with the support of Sir Robin Kinahan who for over twenty years was Chair of the Finance Committee.When a group met in the Chapter House of St Anne's Cathedral in August 1961 they little anticipated what lay ahead.

On the 1 November 1961 the branch opened in 2 rooms on the third floor at 87, King Street in Belfast city centre - a few rooms up many flights of stairs in a somewhat dilapidated building. Telephones provided the vital link with the public, available to answer any call for help to our first number Belfast 24635.

Belfast was the 13th Branch to open in the movement and the first to be established in Ireland.

From the very start, service to callers has always been on a 24 hour basis. In the King Street era the office would close at 11 o'clock at night, the calls then being transferred to the home of the branch Director! For many years this particular burden was borne by a succession of Directors and volunteers. In those early days the service offered was very different to that which is now in place. A small 'flying squad' was available to meet the demands of the night line but when increased workload led to a move to 67, Lisburn Road the 24 hour service was reconfigured to be delivered fully from the branch premises.

The late Rev. Dr. W. G. M. Thomson, a Presbyterian minister, was the first Director of the Belfast Branch and through his deep insight into human nature and unwavering concern for those in need he established a firm foundation which helped the movement to grow in increasing effectiveness. He was honoured in 1966 when he succeeded the Founder, Rev. Chad Varah, as National Chairman, a role he performed for two years with distinction.

Samaritans is all about having time for others who are finding life difficult. Those who help and make themselves available are representative of what the Samaritans aim to be, people from across the entire religious and non-religious spectrum, from all sections of the community. Samaritan volunteers aim to serve those in distress without reference to any denominational or social standing.

More history to follow.....