BOLTON Samaritans are employing new tactics in an effort to boost their dwindling number of volunteers.

Despite regular appeals for more people to offer a listening ear to those in need, not enough people are coming forward to man the phones at the Bark Street East base in Bolton town centre.

In a new move, the group has bought a mailing list of people living locally who might be interested in doing charity work from a data collecting agency.

Early this year they will be writing personally to hundreds of people named on the list, mainly in the BL1 postcode, Westhoughton and Farnworth areas, inviting them to find out more about becoming a volunteer.

"The idea has been tested in other regions and was found to be extremely successful," said Bolton Samaritans' publicity officer Colleen.

Other Samaritans branches in the North West, including Bury are planning to try the same recruiting tactics.

But Colleen stressed that they still welcome interest from potential volunteers who don't receive a letter.

Information sessions will be held from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on February 3 at the Deaf Centre on Bark Street and on February 13 at the Walker Memorial Buildings, Ridgeway Gates from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Anyone aged 17 to 70, from whatever walk of life can become a Samaritan and currently the commitment is one shift a week plus one overnight shift a month, although this could be less if enough volunteers come forward.

Full training and support is given and Colleen is adamant that Samaritan volunteers often get more out of their work than they give.

"People have a misconception of who we are. We are not the twin set and pearls type at all," said Colleen.

"It is not that people don't want to help. They think they can't do this because they are just ordinary people.

"But we are just ordinary. We have everyone from students to unemployed and professional people."

Colleen stressed that the need for more volunteers is urgent as last year there were only around 70 people to share manning the phones in Bolton round the clock compared to 150 when she started five years ago.

One volunteer has commented that she joined the Samaritans because she wanted to do something more worthwhile than giving up chocolate as a New Year's Resolution. The local group are hoping more people will feel the same.

Anyone who wants to know more can contact The Samaritans on Bolton 521200.

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