Successful Property Purchase

149 Station Road purchased by DCGS as Chiltern Samaritans moves to new premises in Amersham

The Dr Challoner’s Grammar School Community is delighted to announce that it has purchased 149 Station Road, the branch headquarters of Chiltern Samaritans, who in turn have purchased new premises just a few doors down in Station Road. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School will use the building to provide a bespoke home for its Astra teacher training and development functions. Over the last decade Astra has trained over 500 teachers to work in local schools, and more recently has led the way in delivering high quality teaching and leadership training for teachers in schools across Buckinghamshire. This purchase also means that the school can repurpose space on the school site to better meet student pastoral needs, creating facilities that deliver counselling, academic support, behavioural support and SEN provision in a cohesive and child centred way.

Chiltern Samaritans, which has been based in Amersham for over 50 years is moving to bigger premises in Station Road and so remains in the heart of Amersham and the community. The new building requires some customisation, so the branch and its team of volunteers are settling into temporary location in Amersham until Spring 2025, when the building works will be completed.

The purchase of 149 Station Road by Dr Challoner’s Grammar School has been made possible thanks to the generous support from donors which meant that the school has been able to finance the purchase without using the school’s central funding. For Chiltern Samaritans, a number of generous legacy donations has enabled them to make the move to bigger premises. Headteacher David Atkinson said “I am delighted to have completed this purchase, as it allows us to address the ongoing increase in needs in our young people. This is a transaction that will benefit the whole community through the work done by Chiltern Samaritans, the school and Astra” Amanda Weaver, Branch Director at Chiltern Samaritans said: “The move to larger premises in Amersham will allow us to better serve our callers, our community and our volunteers. Although we can’t move into our new home quite yet, we remain open 24/7 to support our phone, email and chat callers from temporary accommodation.” If you’re going through a difficult time you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, www.samaritans.org.