Samaritans is an organization that helps people who are suicidal or despairing. Members of the organization try to help and befriend anyone with a serious problem who telephones or visits one of their centers. There are Samaritans centers throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The centers are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The organization has a few full-time paid workers, but almost all of its work is done by volunteers who serve a few hours each week. Each new volunteer goes through a preparation course and is evaluated before being allowed to act as a Samaritan. The organization is financed entirely by donations. The Samaritans was founded in 1953 by Chad Varah, a clergyman in London.
