Big Lottery Fund rescues life saving suicide service
21 February 2007
The Rethink Survivors of Suicide (SOS) service based in Hastings has today (20 February) been saved from closure with almost half a million pounds of funding from The Big Lottery Fund (BLF). This important and vital service offers one-to-one support for those affected by suicide, and can now continue in Hastings and Rother but also implement plans to expand along the East Sussex coast.
Claire Pooley, Rethink’s Sussex Area Service Manager, announced the good news at a celebration at the Hastings office today. She said: “The East Sussex County Council had announced budget cuts to the whole service in January 2006. Constant campaigning from the local community, including Michael Foster MP, and hard work from many of the Rethink staff has paid off. We would like to thank everyone who has supported SOS and look forward to continuing this vital service.”
People affected by suicide in the Eastbourne district, and as far as Peacehaven, will have a service for the first time. Rethink already provides an SOS service in Brighton and Hove, so this new funding will mean a comprehensive coverage across this part of the south east coast. One factor of this bid’s success has been recognition of the work done in Hastings and the government identifying Eastbourne as an area that would benefit from similar input.
Paul Jenkins, Rethink's Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has chosen to fund Rethink's SOS Hastings service, which is a lifeline for people who have survived a suicide attempt. The funding helps safeguard the future of this excellent service, and means Rethink can expand SOS Hastings to include Eastbourne and other coastal areas where we know people urgently need our expert help."
Notes to editors
SOS Hastings service offers one-to-one support for people who have attempted suicide and, with the expansion now possible with the lottery funding, will be setting up support groups for anyone affected by suicide. The service works with people – often referred directly from local A&E departments – who have made suicide attempts but are not under the care of Community Mental Health Teams and NHS mental health services. Currently staff offer emotional support as well as information and signposting which may help address the underlying reasons that drove the person to attempt to take their own life in the first place. The plan is to replicate this into the new areas to be covered.
About Rethink
Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. We aim to provide hope and empowerment through effective services and support to all those who need us and campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding. For further information on the charity and its work, visit: www.rethink.org or call 0845 456 0455. For mental health publications and products, visit the Mental Health Shop: www.mentalhealthshop.org.
