Samaritans to close more than 100 branches

Samaritans, a leading mental health charity in the UK and Ireland, has announced that it will be closing more than 100 of its branches. The organization's chief executive, Julie Bentley, stated that "at least half" of their existing branches will be shut down. The decision comes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted the charity's operations and finances. The closure of branches is expected to affect the accessibility of Samaritans' services, which provide emotional support and a listening ear to individuals in distress. Despite the planned closures, the charity has emphasized its commitment to maintaining its core services and ensuring that those in need can still access support. Samaritans has also indicated that it will explore alternative ways of delivering its services, including through digital and remote channels. The news has raised concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable individuals who rely on the charity's physical locations for support. Samaritans has stated that it will work to minimize the disruption and ensure that its services remain available to those who need them.