Opening times
A number of pharmacies in Perth and Kinross will be open over the festive period.
Chemists across the region will be opening their doors for an hour on Christmas Day, as well as on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Thursday, January 2.
In Crieff, on Christmas Day Davidsons Chemist in James Street will be open between 2pm and 3pm.
And on Boxing Day the Strath capital’s Strathearn Pharmacy on King Street will be open from 2-4pm.
On New Year’s Day, Right Medicines Pharmacy on the High Street will be open from 2pm until 3pm.
Finally, nearby Boots the Chemist in Crieff will be open from 2-4pm on Thursday, January 2.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said:“We need to make sure that we are able to see people quickly if they need emergency care.
“GP surgeries are only closed for two days at Christmas and two days at new year - December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.
“However, if you can’t wait until they re-open there are several options for getting the help you need.
“Your local pharmacist can provide a whole range of services including advice, support and treatment for minor ailments such as a cough, cold or sore throat, indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation, or aches and pains.
“We would encourage people to consider visiting a pharmacy before calling their GP or NHS 24 over the festive holidays as many common illnesses can usually be managed at home.
“Over the counter medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms as well.”
See www.keepwellinwinter.scot. nhs.uk
The Perth and Kinross branch of the Samaritans dealt with over 10,000 inquiries during the Christmas period last year.
And members of the group are now highlighting the importance of the charity’s work in helping support families and people living on their own during what can be a lonely time of year.
In 2018, volunteers answered 9404 telephone calls, as well as replying to 1197 emails and 1726 texts.
Because all calls to the service are confidential and listeners have no knowledge of callers’ name, whereabouts or contact details, they will never know how many people have had their lives changed – either by having second thoughts about dying by suicide or by finding a way to deal with their problems as a result of the sympathetic ear the Samaritans provided.
Director of the Perth-based branch, Maggie Taylor, explained readers can help the organisation which is there for people needing their worries to be heard.
She said: “People can help by donating to Perth Samaritans as we are a charity in our own right, although we are affiliated to Samaritans Central Charity in Surrey.
“They can do this by regular donations via direct debit or one-off donations to the branch, or when we are out collecting at events in Perth and Kinross.
“Apart from a small grant from Choose Life, which is ring- fenced for certain purposes, Perth Samaritans is completely self-funded.”
Maggie added that it was not just the gift of money that Perth’s Samaritans would welcome.
She continued: “We are always looking for new listening volunteers as the more volunteers the branch has, the more shifts can be opened to support those who need our services.
“The ‘ hours of need’ for callers to Samaritans vary and include Wednesday evening, late Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.
“We expect an increase in callers to Samaritans over the Christmas and new year period.
“Samaritans has an even bigger place in society than in the past and our callers have many worries that they would like to discuss.
“These include, though are not exclusive to, mental health issues, financial worries, relationship problems, homelessness, and issues around job insecurity.
“Our confidentiality is of paramount importance to our callers as they know they will not be identified by the
Samaritans’ volunteer.”
Maggie explained it is not widely known that the Samaritans can be spoken to faceto-face if required.
She added: “The information regarding our opening times is on the Perth Samaritans website and at these times the branch is open to anyone who is in difficulty and wishes to come into the branch for face to face support.
“The other ways to contact Samaritans are by calling freephone 116 123, via email, text or by written correspondence.
“Importantly, we are also looking for ‘Friends of Samaritans’.
“These are people who would like to support us, but do not want to become a listening volunteer.
“The Friends of Samaritans group has been set up and, although it is in its infancy, we would love more support volunteers to join the group.
“The Friends would be involved in helping us to fundraise for the branch and support us in other ways.
“The local event in January, ‘ Brew Monday’ coincides with what has been designated as ‘Blue Monday’ which is supposed to be the time when people feel the lowest in the year.
“Your readers could help by organising a ‘Brew Monday’ of their own and any funds raised could come to our branch.
“Perth Samaritans also gives talks to schools and various clubs and groups, so if anyone would like us to give a talk, please contact us via the email address on our website.”
• Email perth@samaritans.org for more information.