It was the job advert that caught my attention. It read: "No pay, no promotion prospects, no bonuses, no expenses, no business lunches, no glamour and sometimes not even a thank-you."

Hardly a ringing endorsement for a position - but the advert for the Samaritans did the trick because it caught my attention.

It is just one of several areas in which the Samaritans of today have moved on from the past and adjusted to the demands of the modern world.

The Samaritans were first established by the Rev Edward Chad Varah, a young curate who presided over the funeral service of a 14-year-old girl, who killed herself after mistaking her first period as signs of a shameful sexual disease.

Chad, as he preferred to be known, was so affected by the tragedy he determined to set up an organisation to ensure people always had somewhere to turn, someone to talk to.

Although it's unlikely any teenage girl today would commit suicide for similar reasons as that poor girl 50 years ago, the Samaritans have had to adapt to coping with increasing exam stress among young people and a host of other problems, notably relationships, finance and health, across the age range.

In a way the Samaritans are like any other established business: they needed to evolve to survive - except success is not measured by profit but by saved lives.

The old stark orange logo on a black background has been replaced by a far more eye-friendly pastel shade of green.

Visiting a meeting of the Samaritans' Darlington and Dales branch, I was also impressed at the subtle use of colour in their offices and interview rooms. Not simply the table and chair in a dimly lit room I, for some reason, expected.

The emphasis seems to me to have changed from pessimism to optimism, they have a clear "mission statement" to reduce suicides and their positive outlook reminds me of Salvationists without the religion.

The organisation itself is keen to emphasise that it has moved on in other ways in recent years.

Volunteer John told me they would always be there for the suicidal, but hoped that people might also contact them before they reached that point.

All callers are treated with compassion and no-one should think their troubles are too minor to talk about. Whether it's someone deeply traumatised by the loss of a pet or on the verge of financial ruin, talking through the problem can be the first step to coping with it.

There are nine branches of the Samaritans in the North and last year the Darlington branch alone handled over 28,000 calls.

Far from being a sombre lot, John and the other volunteers were a positive bunch. There is no doubt some calls can be deeply distressing but there is also tremendous fulfilment at being able to help others.

Of course donations are always welcome and there is always a need for more volunteers.

Training to be a Samaritan takes about three months and requires attendance at weekend courses. The volunteer then undergoes a six month probationary period under the guidance of a mentor. Details can be found at www.samaritans.org or by calling 08705 627282.

Published: 18/03/2005