Samaritans

President Dallas Meechan welcomed 25 members and 4 guests.

During Club business, members were reminded about the upcoming Race Night. The event is well subscribed already with all races and horses sponsored. The projected profit is very good indeed and an enjoyable time looks assured for those attending - it is hoped that even more will wish to come on the night.

Past president John Kilgour announced the results of the October draw for the 200 club.

After business, Dallas introduced the speaker for today’s meeting, Eric Christie, from Kirkcaldy and District Samaritans. Eric was a civil servant and has been involved with Samaritans for the past 16 years. He was awarded the MBE in 2012 for services to the Glenrothes community. He sits on the Fife Children’s Panel and is property convener of St Columba’s church, where he is also organist and choirmaster.

Eric began by giving a background on how the Samaritans came into being in 1953, when a phone line was established for desperate people to contact to be able to talk to someone. The service was soon picked up by the National Press who christened those involved “good samaritans”. People benefit from talking and very soon the concept was widely adopted. There are now more than 18000 volunteers in the U.K. over many branches.

Suicide accounts for more deaths than war and murder. There is a call for help every 6 seconds.

Mental illness is very common today, with many people unsupported. The financial crash of 2008 was a major trigger.

Family strife and broken relationships, bereavement and self harming, especially amongst young people also require support.

Abuse in all of its forms is a deeply emotional agent which can give rise to suicidal tendencies where people see no hope for themselves with death the only escape.

Samaritans respect the right of people to end their own lives but offer a talking, sharing, empathic service where it is important to be non judgmental. It is important to listen carefully and look at options with the caller.

Email and texting are also accepted methods of contacting Samaritans and there is a letter branch office in Stirling.

Person to person contact over a cup of tea at the various branch premises is also available. All methods of contact are safe and it is important that the people using the service know this.

Nationally there is a computer system which equalises all U.K. calls and this has increased the work of all branches. Phoning is free and callers are not discouraged by the cost of a long share with a sympathetic listener.

Eric appealed for more volunteers to train locally. Shifts last for 3 hours and then are followed by debriefing to a leader.

Local facilities are very good indeed with big improvements recently carried out to the branch premises, benefitting callers and volunteers alike.

After questions, Past President Bryan Tomlinson gave the vote of thanks.