About Edinburgh Samaritans

Samaritans of Edinburgh and the Lothians is a registered Scottish charity whose vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Based in Edinburgh, our volunteers provide confidential emotional support 24/7 via phone and online chat. Our branch is run almost entirely by volunteers and we operate a successful charity shop, which is our largest regular income source.

Our Mission

• To provide 24/7 confidential emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
• To provide people with somewhere to turn to and get support when they need it most.
• To collaborate with Samaritans Central Charity and affiliated branches to further these objectives.

Organisational Structure

• The Board of Trustees includes the Branch Director, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to eight elected trustees, all unpaid volunteers.
• The Branch Leadership Team (BLT) manages day-to-day operations.
• The Board meets at least four times a year, often more frequently.

The Treasurer Role

We are seeking to appoint a new voluntary Treasurer when the current post holder steps down in September 2026.

The Treasurer is a Trustee and a member of the Branch Leadership Team, accountable to the Branch Director. The branch Accountant reports into the Treasurer.

General Purpose of the Role

The Treasurer is a trustee of the charity with particular responsibility for overseeing the charity’s financial affairs. The Treasurer helps ensure that the charity remains financially sustainable, compliant with Scottish charity law, and able to deliver its charitable purposes.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Director, and any paid staff or third party suppliers, the Treasurer provides leadership on financial governance while sharing collective responsibility for the overall direction and management of the charity.