‘Is anyone up for a fight?’ The battle for the soul of Samaritans

Worthing is at the centre of a growing revolt against branch closures that charity leaders say are vital to its future

Seven years ago, Samaritans volunteers Mark and Carol saved a stranger’s life. On the other end of the phone was a “very distressed” man. He had climbed scaffolding to the top of a building and was threatening to jump.

As Mark talked to him, Carol called his local Samaritans to alert volunteers. Eventually the man came down off the scaffolding and they “walked” him street by street to safety.