EXETER, Mid and East Devon Samaritans have received a new laptop computer which will allow their volunteers to provide more help and support for people living in isolated rural areas.
The charity was awarded the laptop by BT Community Connections ? a nationwide award scheme which supports community and voluntary groups.
The laptop is an additional offering by BT for year three of the scheme to supplement a desktop computer which was awarded to Exeter Samaritans in 2001.
The latest award was made under the Community Integration category for the links Samaritans have made with the wider community.
The charity has worked hard in recent years to embrace modern technology in its work. The original desktop computer enabled Exeter Samaritans to fulfill a role responding to people who prefer to seek emotional support by e-mail through a confidential address on [email protected]">[email protected]
Samaritans plan to use the laptop to provide more training to those responding to callers in rural areas who are suffering emotional stress. The need for this type of training was identified by DEFRA during the foot and mouth crisis when Samaritans trainers helped their workers deal sympathetically with farmers and others affected by the crisis who were suffering emotional stress.
The NEC M3210 Versa laptop computer will also be used with a digital projector for the initial and ongoing training of listeners and for presentations to statutory and voluntary groups who work with Samaritans to support those suffering emotional trauma.
The equipment will also be used to aid volunteers who provide talks to groups who want to know more about Samaritans? work.
If you would like to know about the Samaritans? work or would like to arrange a talk to your local group, please phone on 01392 411711 and leave a message for Tim.