The Samaritans in Macclesfield has appointed a new director to manage the branch.

Phil Borrows was nominated by his fellow volunteers to lead the team of 90 volunteers at the Macclesfield branch in Boden Street, Macclesfield – and started his new three-year role on at the beginning of September.

With seven years’ experience as a Samaritans volunteer, answering calls from people struggling to cope, Phil has been head of training for all the new volunteers over the past few years.

Phil, now retired, was a senior corporate banker at Barclays Bank and then as finance director of HFS Loans Ltd.

He volunteered with the Samaritans after taking early retirement because he was looking for a challenge and wanted to put something back into the local community.

The Macclesfield Samaritans answer more than 25,000 calls a year and 1,500 emails from people going needing support. They support people by phone, email, letter and face to face at its branch on Boden Street, which has been open since 1963.

The Samaritans also work closely with Styal Prison, providing training to prisoners so that they may become listeners themselves and provide emotional support to their fellow prisoners.

Phil said: “I’m honoured to have been chosen as director at my local branch.

“I am pleased to serve the people of Macclesfield and I wish to raise the profile of Samaritans in the community, to ensure that people will always know that there is someone available to listen to them during these difficult times.”

People contact the Samaritans when they are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

The Macclesfield branch is looking for more volunteers to help support the charity and respond to calls for help.

If you would like more information about Volunteering please contact us on the above Telephone number or at the Boden Street office.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Phil call on 07584899485 or email philbee07@gmail.com.

Anyone going through a tough time can contact Samaritans for confidential support on 01625 426000, email jo@samaritans.org or face to face at Boden Street, Macclesfield.