A retrograde step for an island community

It came as a shock to hear that the decision has been made by the powers to be, to close the local branch of Samaritans.

I know that I speak for many when I say that the community is very grateful to the unpaid volunteers who have filled a much-needed listening service in Shetland since 1985. We are fortunate in that we have volunteers willing to help members of the community who require it, and I don’t doubt that demand for this service is ever increasing. This decision will also mean the loss of the visible presence of Samaritan volunteers at shows and charity events.

Money is normally the reason behind planned closures but given that the premises used by Samaritans was a legacy left to the community and that the small running costs are met locally, this can be ruled out.

This is a retrograde step for an island community who are dependent on each other and must be reversed as we cannot afford to lose this first-class local service and its dedicated unpaid volunteers.

Alison Johnston
Sandwick