The Colchester branch of Samaritans first opened its doors at Vineyard Street in May 1964, supporting the community in Colchester and the surrounding CO post code areas. In 2011 we moved to our current premises in Walsingham Road. In 2024 we celebrated 60 years of our wonderful branch!

We currently have over 100 listening volunteers, some having been with us for over 40 years. We also have over 30 support volunteers who help with a vast range of duties to ensure the ongoing running of the branch. We open for around 70% of the hours in a week including through the night, supporting callers who contact us suffering with emotional distress and despair in a number of ways: by phone and messaging.

We work in partnership with Essex Partnership University Trust, the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester Borough Council, Greater Anglia and Colchester Pride, as well as providing talks in schools, community and health groups. We also regularly travel to various parts of the community to help raise awareness and offer emotional support, including in Clacton, Harwich, Sudbury and Walton-on-the-Naze.

Thank you for supporting Colchester Samaritans.