'Difficult decision' to close Samaritans branch after more than 50 years

A local representative has called for "answers" after the closure of the Omagh, County Tyrone, branch of the Samaritans charity.Founded in 1953, the Samaritans focus on preventing suicides by connecting trained volunteers with people who are struggling. The charity estimates it answers a call for help every 10 seconds.The Omagh branch, which had about 20 'active' volunteers, had been part of the community for more than 50 years, with many volunteers being there from its infancy.In a statement, the charity said "due to circumstances beyond anyone's control" a "difficult decision" was reached to close the branch.Last year, the BBC learned that dozens of branches had voiced concerns over the plan to close more than 100 branches across the UK and Ireland. At the time, the Samaritans said that having more than 200 branches "is not sustainable" and hindered them from providing the best service.On Thursday, a Samaritans spokesperson told BBC News NI the closure of the branch "is not related to Samaritans future-proofing programme, which is not currently looking at services in Northern Ireland".Samaritans of Omagh had not been open for face-to-face support with members of the public since March 2020, when all branches reduced services due to Covid-19 restrictions.A spokesperson for the charity said the Omagh branch "has been a valued part of Samaritans for more than 50 years" and they "recognise the contribution made" by successive trustees, directors, leaders and all volunteers."Sadly, and due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the difficult decision was reached to close the branch," they said."Samaritans operates a national listening service, so people in Tyrone and across Northern Ireland will be unaffected and will remain able to access help from Samaritans at any time, day or night, 365 days a year on 116 123 or at samaritans.org."All volunteers in the branch have been offered support, as well as receiving one to one phone calls offering support and guidance around relocation. Support meetings have also been offered."Some volunteers have already begun the process of transferring to other locations."The charity said any proceeds from future property sales will be reinvested into running Samaritans services across the UK and Ireland.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.