Samaritans group honoured
DROGHEDA & North East Branch of Samaritans are celebrating after its Outreach team won a national award at the weekend.
Samaritans Ireland held its inaugural Volunteer Celebration and Awards event at the Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin, where it recognised the efforts of volunteers from branches all over the country.
Awards were presented in four categories: Service to Samaritans Award, Newcomer of the Year Award, Branch Innovation Award and Spirit of Samaritans Award.
The Drogheda Outreach team, led by Gerry Byrne, won their award in the Innovation category.
The Outreach programme, a vital part of Samaritans’ all round service, sees approximately 10 team members visit schools and colleges throughout the North East on a regular basis, giving presentations in Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. They work around the needs of the school or college and their timetables.
The Outreach programme brings Samaritans face to face with approximately 2,000 second and third level students annually.
The Drogheda Outreach team is continuously researching ways to engage with the local community. At the awards in Dublin, members gave a cameo of the work carried out in special areas, and in particular their night ‘On Call’ with the Drogheda River Rescue group.
The Outreach team collected the award with the branch’s name on it and also a framed certificate given in recognition.
Director of Drogheda & North East branch of Samaritans, Marie McCormack, paid tribute to the Outreach team.
‘We are very proud of our Outreach team and heartily congratulate the members,’ said Ms McCormack.
‘ This is well-deserved recognition for the selfless work they do in our local communities.
‘ There may be a perception that Samaritans is all about taking calls from people in distress which is indeed pivotal to what we do.
‘However, our service is also about getting out into the community and meeting people face to face. This is where the Outreach team comes to the fore.
‘ Their work in schools and colleges in the region is crucial to our overall service and we’re all delighted that the the team has recevied this recognition at national level.’
Ms McCormack added: ‘It will provide a great boost to the team in its aim to engage with even more people in future years and spread the Samaritans message.’
The aim of the awards is to recognise good practice in Samaritans’ branches and show appreciation to all its volunteers, new and old.
Samaritans can be contacted on Freecall 116 123, by texting 087-2609090 or by emailing jo@ samaritans.org