THE story of the Good Samaritan is one most people are familiar with.

Whether you have heard a simplified version during your younger school days, or you’ve read it in the Gospel of Luke – the moral of the story is the same.

A person found themselves in challenging times, stripped of clothing, robbed and beaten. He was left for dead.

Two people of varying religions walked past, ignoring the person. Then, another walked by, and showed the person mercy.

The story aims to teach you to be kind to one another, as you don’t know if you will ever be in the same situation.

While the principle is honourable, the religious connotations are not still applicable to the group which runs under the same name.

The Samaritans in Taunton has just celebrated its fiftieth year of helping people during their time of need – but after reaching that milestone, the group want to shake things up.

In an attempt to attract a host of new volunteers, organisers are busting myths about the organisation, while encouraging people to talk about mental health openly.

Samaritans director, Bob Cornes, said “People are now beginning to be more open and to talk more about mental health. And they are talking to Samaritans.

“But, just what is it that Samaritans do? We know that they talk to people in distress and that they are at the end of a phone, somewhere. But where are they? Who are they? Do they only take calls from those who are feeling suicidal? Are they a religious group? The Good Samaritan was mentioned in the bible, wasn’t he?”

Perhaps we don’t know as much as we thought we did about how the organisation is run, who it helps, and what is required to keep the support going.

For people who might be deterred by the religious link, Mr Cornes explained although it was originally started by a priest, the group now focuses more on having a ‘non judgemental attitude’, rather than a religious belief.

Mr Cornes added: ““The Samaritans was founded in 1953 in London, by a priest called Chad Varah. However, today we have no links to any church, or faith, in fact we choose to be secular in our approach.

“Two of our principles are embodied in confidentiality and our non judgemental attitude.

“There are now 201 branches of Samaritans throughout the UK and at Taunton we have one of the busier branches with, at any one time, between 80 and 90 volunteers.

“Everyone in the branch is a volunteer.

“Here in Taunton last year we handled 35,000 calls and 4,000 emails and texts from people in distress. Of those callers, around 25 per cent had suicidal thoughts.

“There are two telephone lines at Taunton and the branch doors are open to callers between 9am and 9pm every day. Samaritans throughout the country are taking calls 24/7 – we never close. All training is internal and to a very high standard.

“It takes around £35,000 a year to keep the branch running – few are aware that all of this money is collected locally from donations, gifts, Trusts and collections.”

So, how is this self-funding charity proposing to accept the challenge of more and more people needing their help and support, while raising money to ensure the support is there for them?

Speaking to local Samaritan, David Phizacklea, it appears they have some ideas.

Mr Phizacklea said: “We have identified we need a new group of volunteers to help us.

“Not everyone wants to work with us as a listening volunteer. Although highly rewarding, it can be challenging at times. This new team will work alongside our existing volunteers and receive relevant training in what we do. They too will be Samaritans.

“We need help raising money – which, of course, takes a lot of time and commitment. We need help spreading the message on what we do and also help in recruiting even more of those listeners.

“We need help in our administration – writing, printing, organising etc. There’s a lot to do.”

Mr Phizacklea said on the first Thursday of each month, at 7pm, there is an introductory meeting held for potential volunteers at the branch offices in Wood St, Taunton. The next open session will be on Thursday, February 7, for potential volunteers to find out more.

The group has also just received a generous donation of a stairlift by Somerset Stairlifts and Mobility, meaning volunteers with limited mobility are able to move around the branch freely.

Mr Cornes added: “This will make a huge difference to some of our volunteers who struggle to attend training sessions and meetings upstairs in the branch. From now on both present and future volunteers with limited mobility will be able to use the stairlift and the extra rails that have been installed around the branch.”

For anyone interested in being a Samaritan, either as a ‘listener’ or supporting the branch, is asked to get in touch.

To volunteer, call 01823 289456 or call David on 07884 477934.

For those in distress, call Samaritans free on 116123, or email jo@samaritans.org.