For over 60 years, Alan Woodhouse dedicated himself to supporting those in need as a volunteer for the Samaritans in Liverpool. His unwavering commitment to the charitable organisation, which provides emotional support to individuals struggling with life’s challenges, has now been recognised with the prestigious honour of an MBE.
Woodhouse, who passed away at the age of 92, joined the Liverpool and Merseyside branch of the Samaritans when it was founded in 1960. He continued to answer calls there until his retirement in 2020, making him the longest-serving volunteer in the history of the organisation.
In 2017, Woodhouse was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his exceptional service. Upon receiving the award at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince of Wales, the royal patron of the Samaritans, Woodhouse humbly remarked, “It’s not all about me: it’s about recognising the work of Samaritan volunteers over the decades who have given their time to be there, at the end of a telephone, to help others in need.”
Born in Normanton, West Yorkshire, Woodhouse went on to study English at Jesus College, Oxford, before embarking on a career in education. He taught at Alsop High School in Liverpool and later became the head of English Studies and the director of the degree course on literature, life and thought at the CF Mott College of Higher Education in Prescot.
In the later stages of his career, Woodhouse spent three years teaching phonetics and English literature at the University of Provence in Aix, France, before returning to the UK and teaching French at the University of Liverpool until his retirement in 2008.
Even in retirement, Woodhouse remained active, volunteering at Egremont Primary School in Wallasey to help young students with reading difficulties. It was his unwavering dedication to helping others, however, that truly defined his legacy.
Woodhouse’s wife, Penny, passed away in 2021, but he continued to be supported by his many friends in the Wallasey home they had shared for 65 years. In his free time, he enjoyed taking his dog, Daisy, for walks, followed by a coffee and a quick crossword from The Guardian.
Woodhouse is survived by his three children, Joanna, Michael, and Katherine, who undoubtedly take great pride in their father’s remarkable life of service and the lasting impact he had on the lives of countless individuals through his work with the Samaritans.
