Award win for suicide prevention partnership

CWP and suicide prevention charity The Martin Gallier Project (MGP) were highly commended at the HSJ Partnership Awards on:- Thursday evening in the:- 'Best Not for Profit Working in Partnership' with the NHS category. This prestigious accolade recognises their impactful collaboration and celebrates the partnership that has saved countless lives across the Region.

The partnership between is the 1st of its kind in the UK. It was formed to help:- 'bridge the gap' for people presenting at A&E with thoughts of suicide or following a suicide attempt. People in crisis seeking help through the emergency department or the CWP 24/7 Crisis Line are assessed by specialist mental health practitioners. If appropriate, they are referred to The Martin Gallier Project, where an experienced suicide prevention specialist reaches out within 24 hours to offer one-to-one support.​​​​​​​

Jessica Gallier-Booth, Chief Executive Officer at The Martin Gallier Project, said:- "This award is a testament to the amazing staff who work in partnership across both organisations and relentlessly strive every single day to prevent suicide within our community. This award represents everyone who has come through our doors since 2019. Awards are so lovely, yet our biggest reward is YOU. The people who walk amongst us who may not have. The people who get to spend today with their family, who may not have. The people who go on to live the most incredible lives, who otherwise may not have been here. Thank you for trusting us, it's the greatest honour. On a personal note, this one's for you Dad!"

Dave Appleton, Head of Operations for Acute Care and 1st Response Services at CWP, added:- "I'm thrilled that this partnership has won the Highly Commended award at the HSJ Partnership Awards. Partnering with The Martin Gallier Project allows us to provide enhanced support and better after-care for individuals and their families following a mental health crisis; helping to reduce the risk of future crises. By working closely with our clinical teams, The Martin Gallier Project offers personalised, non-clinical support that tackles key challenges affecting mental health, such as social factors, self-esteem, and building skills for independence and healthy relationships. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved!"

This award marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey towards creating a future where every life is valued, and every suicide is preventable.

If you or a loved 1 are experiencing a mental health crisis, it is important to seek help immediately. Please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to speak to a mental health professional. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Charity Launches Fundraising Challenge To Save Young Lives

A North West based suicide prevention charity is launching a national fundraising challenge to help protect its lifesaving round the clock services.

Throughout the month of April, PAPYRUS hopes as many people as possible will sign-up to walk, run, cycle, swim, row; or come up with their own ideas; to cover a distance linked to 247km.

Vicki Dutton, the charity's Fundraising Manager said:- "That could involve covering 2 kilometres a day, 24 kms a week or 247 kms over the whole month of April, either by conventional means or by doing something a bit different. Our PAPYRUS fundraisers never cease to amaze us with their energy, imagination and resourcefulness and we know they'll rise to this new challenge and put everything into it."

PAPYRUS, which has its head office in Warrington, says rising costs and unprecedented financial pressures means extra funding is urgently needed. Money raised will support the charity's:- "darkest hours" emergency appeal to help it continue running it's HOPELINE247 service through the night.

To register for the 247km challenge go to:- GIVP.Pl.

Vicki Dutton added:- "As the days continue to lengthen and the flowers begin to bloom, people want to get out there and enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise, so why not combine that with a challenge which will help to save young lives. We will do everything we can to continue staffing our HOPELINE247 service during the night, when children and young people are struggling through their darkest hours, but we can only do that with the incredible generosity of the public. Quite simply, donations and fundraising underpin everything we do."

Each participant who takes part in the challenge needs to have a fundraising target of £247 or as much as they can raise. They will receive a free PAPYRUS t-shirt when they complete their registration and set up their JustGiving page. They will then get a free water bottle when they hit the halfway mark of their target.

In January PAPYRUS launched the 1st emergency appeal in its 28-year-history, blaming rising costs and falling donations across the charity sector. The target is to raise £440,000.

The charity's Chief Executive, Ged Flynn, said:- "Nothing is more important in life than keeping our children and young people safe. We are here every minute of every hour, 365 days of the year, giving hope to those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. Regrettably, an unforeseen reduction in the voluntary revenue we receive means we are now facing real challenges in the way we deliver our vital services."

PAPYRUS says the situation has become critical because it is receiving a record number of contacts. Every week the charity receives hundreds of calls either from young people themselves or from someone who is concerned about a young person.

Since its HOPELINE247 service went round the clock in the summer of 2023, the charity has seen an 86% increase in the number of contacts received via text and emails. Last year there was a 66% increase in those reaching out via its webchat service.

HOPELINE247 is staffed by professionally trained, paid Suicide Prevention Advisors.

Ged Flynn says he makes no apology for appealing directly to the public for help:- "No child or young person deserves to be alone with thoughts of suicide. Our work shines a ray of hope into the darkness. Suicides devastate families and friendships, shatter schools and shake the very foundations of our local communities. Every life lost is a tragic waste and yet we believe many young suicides can be prevented. Everyone has a role to play and with your generosity PAPYRUS will be able to continue our work, which is far from done. Suicide rates remain stubbornly high and somehow we must overcome the obstacles we face, find the money we need and help our children and young people to choose life."

To donate to the PAPYRUS emergency appeal go to:- JustGiving.Com.