The Samaritans will open a West Cork branch with a recruitment drive now underway for volunteers.
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A new premises in Clonakilty is being prepared for the organisation and the new West Cork Samaritans site will be a satellite branch of Cork Samaritans, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The premises is being prepared with a vibrant green Samaritans logo ahead of Samaritans Awareness Day, Monday July 24th.
Samaritans representatives hope to attend local markets, festivals, and gigs in West Cork throughout the summer ahead of the planned autumn opening.
Information nights will take place on July 26th on 26th July at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery and 27th July at O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty, both starting at 7pm ahead of the opening of a new branch in Clonakilty.
Samaritans Cork director Jon Spencer said: "The opening of West Cork Samaritans in Clonakilty will be a tremendous opportunity for our volunteers to expand our service and reach out to a greater number of callers and potential volunteers.
"We know there are also many people here in West Cork who are keen to volunteer with us to help provide the much-needed listening service to those who are in despair or distress.
"There is great enthusiasm for this new venture in West Cork. Samaritans are not just at the end of the phone, we visit communities, festivals, schools and even prisons throughout the year, raising awareness of the work we do.
No doubt many people will have seen our Samaritans van in the local towns.
'If any group, school or company would like to meet with us to discuss our new project we would encourage them to get in touch.'
Grant funding has been acquired to help with the setting up of the Clonakilty branch.
Samaritans offer emotional suppoort 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to anyone in distress, experiencing loneliness or isolation, or who us struggling to cope or feeling suicidal, on freephone 116 123 or email [email protected].