More about the Weybridge branch

Some more information about the Weybridge branch

The North West Surrey branch of the Samaritans is sometimes referred to as Weybridge branch but this is something of a misnomer.  The branch was originally established in St. George’s School in 1964 on the outskirts of  Weybridge but moved to its present location over twenty years ago. 
It is now located halfway between Addlestone and Ottershaw so a precise definition of its location is impossible.
The branch spans three local authority areas and covers a number of towns including Addlestone, Ashford, Chertsey, Egham, Staines, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge, as well as a number of smaller towns, so there is no obvious geographical centre.

The present premises comprise a wood framed single storey building with an attractive brick facing and there is also a portakabin for meetings although a local hall has to be rented for larger meetings.  The main building includes an operations room and a general office with photocopying and e-mail facilities.  There is also a kitchen and toilet and two resting rooms which double as interview rooms during the day.  The premises are also blessed with good parking facilities for both volunteers and face to face callers.  There has been uncertainty about the future of the lease of the site but now this has been resolved there are plans to extend the premises.

The Feltham Young Offender Institution falls within the catchment area and the prison team train and support Listeners in conjunction with Leatherhead branch.  Staff at Feltham also provide inmates with a mobile phone to call the branch when necessary and significant numbers of calls are received.

The membership usually hovers around the one hundred mark but turnover in the past has been quite high. The present recruitment and training teams are highly effective and two intakes of new volunteers are provided each year.  Stability and continuity are brought to the branch by a substantial number of very experienced volunteers.  Our longest serving volunteer has served the branch for just over forty years.

The branch has recently increased it fund raising activities and these include an annual carol singing event at the local Tesco’s as well as a variety of smaller scale initiatives.

There are regular on going training events and we have now established a busy presentations team who provide talks to local organisations and the branch now has its own website.

Duties are self-selected by volunteers on the basis of one duty a week which should include a weekend duty every six weeks.  Night duties are assigned but every effort is made to accommodate individual preferences.

Members have completed e-mail training and Weybridge is now one of the significant majority of branches who provide emotional support via email.

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