Supporting James’ Place To Strengthen The Networks Around Men In Crisis

This World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re highlighting the work of James’ Place Newcastle and the difference that support can make not only to men experiencing suicidal crisis, but to the family members and friends standing alongside them.

The Reece Family Trust awarded £3,900 to James’ Place to fund specialist mentoring sessions for the loved ones of men receiving support at its Newcastle centre.

James’ Place provides free, specialist therapy in welcoming, non-clinical environments to men in crisis. Since opening its first centre in 2018, the charity has supported more than 5,100 men, with centres now operating in Newcastle, Liverpool, London and Birmingham.

Its Newcastle centre opened in January 2024 and has already supported more than 1,000 men from across the North East.

The funding from the Reece Family Trust has allowed James’ Place Newcastle to deliver 16 face-to-face supporter sessions so far, with the ambition to deliver 39 over 12 months. These sessions will help family members and friends better understand how to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The sessions are delivered by James’ Place’s suicide-prevention therapists and provide supporters with practical knowledge, confidence and a safe place to talk about their own experiences. They can help families understand suicidal thoughts and behaviours, feel more confident having open conversations with their loved one and understand the work taking place during therapy, so they can continue providing meaningful support between sessions and after James’ Place’s formal intervention has ended.

Just as importantly, the sessions recognise the impact that supporting someone in crisis can have on family members and friends themselves.

Caring for somebody experiencing suicidal thoughts can be frightening and overwhelming. The sessions give supporters an opportunity to consider their own wellbeing, seek guidance and understand what other support may be available to them.

Why mental health matters to us

Helping people across the North East to live healthier, happier lives is at the heart of the Reece Family Trust, and improving access to mental health support is an important part of that.

We know that mental health challenges do not affect one person in isolation. The impact can be felt across families, friendship groups and communities, which is why we believe there is real value in funding organisations that provide support at the point it is needed while also helping to build stronger networks around people for the future.

For the Reece Family Trust, funding mental health initiatives is about making sure people can access compassionate, effective support when they need it most, particularly those who may otherwise struggle to find the right help.

Ashleigh Dixon, Community Fundraising Manager at James’ Place, said:

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Reece Family Trust for their donation. As a charity, we rely on the kindness and generosity of our local communities to help fund our life-saving work.

“Their support will help us ensure that more men experiencing suicidal crisis and their loved ones can access specialist support when they need it most.”

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to recognise James’ Place and the organisations across our region working every day to make sure people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives do not have to face them alone.

Find out more about their work here https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/ and contact enquiries@reecefamilytrust.org to speak to us about your project.