Society Past President to take up Samaritans role

Amanda Millar, Past President of the Law Society of Scotland, has been appointed Scotland Committee chair of suicide prevention charity Samaritans Scotland. She will also become the Scotland trustee for Samaritans UK & Ireland when she joins the organisation on 30 March.

The first solicitor accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in both mental health law and incapacity and mental disability law, Ms Millar brings a wealth of experience in leadership and influencing to Samaritans, most recently from her time as President. 

She is a past chair of Mindspace Ltd and a previous member of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations policy committee. Her high-profile commitment to issues of equity and diversity includes her current position chairing an EDI expert advisory group for the Institute of Directors in Scotland. 

She replaces Natalie Stevenson, who has been Scotland trustee and committee chair since 2019. During that time Samaritans has increased its presence in Scotland and Ms Stevenson has helped steer the organisation through the COVID pandemic.

Samaritans is about to launch its UK & Ireland Strategy for the coming five years, and particularly for Scotland as it prepares to implement its new strategic delivery plan. 

Ms Millar commented: "I am delighted to be joining such an important and purposeful organisation which has a powerful role to play in civil society. I’m grateful to Natalie for all the work she has done to set Samaritans in Scotland on such a positive course. 

"Samaritans offers support when people are often at their lowest ebb and seeks to influence policy makers through sharing knowledge and expertise to prevent suicide and self-harm. I am thrilled to be joining the ranks of the many Samaritans volunteers who deliver much of the organisation’s vital work."

Rachel Cackett, executive director of Samaritans Scotland, added: "The last three years have been a time of enormous change and I would like to thank Natalie for all she has done to support the development of Samaritans’ Scottish presence, in local communities and in national forums.  

"As we move into an important new chapter for Samaritans, setting out our new direction of travel from April, I am really looking forward to working with Amanda as she takes up her role as Scotland chair and trustee.   

"Her lived commitment to volunteering, to mental wellbeing and human rights, and to equity, diversity and inclusion will be so important to our volunteers and staff – in Scotland and beyond – as we ensure that, as Samaritans, we are there for those who are struggling to cope."