The Samaritans of Cornwall are launching a major fundraising appeal to enable them to relocate to new and improved premises.

Having undergone a full-scale review of their building in Treyew Road, Truro in 2015, the charity concluded that an alternative site would enable them to reach even more people who need their services, whilst making them more accessible to volunteers.

Gill Pipkin, Director of Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro, explains the decision to move: “A new site will be fully accessible and improve facilities, for existing and potential volunteers with limited mobility or other disabilities.

"We hope that it will attract new volunteers so that we can open more hours, embrace new technology and offer more outreach into the community. New premises will enable us to be there for more callers when they need us, plus easy access for our walk-ins, providing a face-to-face service for more people.

With £110k already raised, plus their current building valued at between £315,000 - £350,000, the charity has set a fundraising target of £200,000, within a timescale of approximately 18 months, to meet their funding gap.

The charity intends to buy land and purpose-build, or find an existing building to convert – with either option in the Truro area and requiring total funds in the region of £625,000.

A range of new locations are being explored, all with the same objective: to facilitate the space and layout needed to run the charity more effectively and widen its reach, with additional space to rent out to generate an income - making the charity more sustainable.

Gill added: “We want to widen our reach through further initiatives with other agencies in the field of preventing suicide, through space for meetings and collaborative working. As well as quality training and meeting facilities for Samaritans, we want to offer training and meeting facilities for use by other community and voluntary bodies, enabling us to support others.”

The branch currently has around 120 volunteers from across the county - mainly Listening Volunteers but also some Support Volunteers who assist with fundraising, finance and admin; there are no paid members of staff and all funds raised go towards the running of the Branch and achieving their vision.

In Cornwall, the Branch responds to around 53,000 calls, texts, emails and face-to-face contacts annually.

To donate to the appeal, visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/cornwallsamaritansappeal, or for further information, appeal progress, or to lend your support, please contact Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro on cornwallsamsfr@gmail.com, visit www.samaritans.org/truro or find them on Twitter @cornwallsamari1