Exeter Samartians join Twitter

The local branch of Samaritans is aiming to increase the information it provides and the audience it reaches by taking the unusual step of setting up a Twitter account.

The Exeter Mid and East Devon branch - which uses the name @ExeSamaritans - is one of the first Samaritans branches in the country to open an account on Twitter, and will create tweets that will be sent to followers several times each week.

“Our aim is to let people know about interesting online articles and inform them about what’s happening with our local branch. It’s also a reminder that we are here on the telephone, email and SMS to offer support and to listen, 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” explains Helen Crossfield, director of the branch.

Because the @ExeSamaritans Twitter account will not be updated every day and cannot be monitored continually, the branch stresses it is not a substitute for the telephone, email, text and face-to-face methods by which the public can directly seek support from Samaritans.

Even so, @ExeSamaritans is considered a vital way of spreading the word about Samaritans services and even finding potential future volunteers.

“Statistics show Twitter users are typically young or young-thinking, often accessing the service on their mobile telephones, and less likely than most to get their information from traditional sources. We want that section of our community, as well as everyone else, to know what we do and how we can support them,” says Helen Crossfield.

The charity provides support to people who are distressed or in despair which may lead to thoughts of suicide. People can talk to us at any time, in their own way and in confidence, about whatever is going on in their life.