Pendle Samaritans branch holds AGM with volunteers and local mayors in attendance

The Pendle, Burnley, Craven and Rossendale branch of the Samaritans, which operates from Market Street in Nelson, held its Annual General Meeting on October 8th 2026 at Nelson Cricket Club.

The Meeting was attended by over half of the 97 people who volunteer with the branch as well as by the Mayors of Pendle, Padiham, Skipton and Rossendale.

The meeting heard a report from the present Director of the branch - Andrew8 - who detailed the activity of the branch over the preceding 12 months and the work of Samaritans nationally. The Director reported that in the period September 2025 to August 2026, Pendle branch volunteers had helped 12,585 callers. He went on to. explain the work going on in the national charity at present to “future proof” the charity. This involves working with volunteers to offer different ways of supporting callers and possibly also giving volunteers the option to answer calls from home during night-time hours. These developments are still at the planning stage and so for Pendle branch at the moment it is “business as usual”.

The meeting then heard an interview with David and Charlotte Lay. The interview was conducted by Judith and Bev who are both listening and outreach volunteers with the Pendle branch.

David is a train driver based in Skipton and encountered Charlotte some years ago when she was at a low point in her life and struggling with mental health issues. Charlotte had decided to end her life and had gone down to the railway. She was spotted by a passer-by and so Dave, who was driving his train towards Charlotte, was warned to look out. He saw Charlotte, stopped his train, and went to speak to her and managed to persuade Charlotte to move to a place of safety.

Dave and Charlotte remained in contact and eventually became a couple. They now have three young children between them. A happy ending out of a potential tragedy.

Charlotte and Dave gave a deeper insight into mental health problems and were able to suggest to the Pendle volunteers effective ways to help people who telephone and who are in crisis as Charlotte was on the night Dave rescued her.

Pendle volunteer Jayne proposed a vote of thanks to Charlotte and Dave on behalf of the whole branch and expressed the great appreciation of everyone present for speaking in such a meaningful way about what is a very difficult and emotive subject.

The Pendle branch is part of the Samaritans national charity. The mission of the charity is that fewer people die by suicide. It seeks to achieve this mission mainly by offering a freephone listening service and online chat service to anyone who seeks help. There are over 200 branches in Great Britain and Eire and over 23,000 listening volunteers nationwide The lines are open 24/7. If you wish to learn more about the charity or to enquire about volunteering with the charity, you can visit www.samaritans.org