THE Samaritans branch that serves Okehampton received 42,142 contacts from the public during 2015.

Within that total there were 33,661 telephone calls from the public to volunteers at the Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch, which operates every day of the year.

There were also 3,058 emails sent to the public who had contacted the branch, plus 4,478 SMS texts — both categories showing sharp increases on the 2014 figures.

In addition there were 166 face-to-face contacts — one-to-one discussions with volunteers at the charity’s premises in central Exeter. Plus there were no fewer than 774 face-to-face contacts by Samaritans ‘listeners’ at Exeter prison.

Helen Crossfield, director of the branch said: ‘These figures confirm, I hope, exactly why the Samaritans charity is needed and how important we are for the community we serve.’

During 2015 there were 105 listening volunteers and probationary volunteers handling these contacts — that means there were just over 400 contacts per volunteer on average over the year.

The charity provides support to people who are distressed or in despair which may lead to thoughts of suicide. People can talk to Samaritans at any time in their own way and in confidence, about whatever is going on in their life.

Helen said: ‘As the figures suggest, we are always keen to recruit volunteers to help. The work is tremendously fulfilling and hugely varied. Anyone over 18 can apply to help the charity and our current volunteers range from people in their 20s to some in their 80s.’

Those wishing to find out more about offering their time for Samaritans can e-mail [email protected] for further details.