Action for Wellbeing

Your Local Charity

Action for Wellbeing

Worldwide, in 2018, there were an estimated 800,000 deaths by suicide, which is one person every 40 seconds (WHO, Preventing Suicide Summary, 2019). Many, many more attempt suicide. In the same year, there were 6,507 suicides registered in the UK (on average, 18 per day), (Office for National Statistics, 2019). On 10th October, 2018, World Mental Health Day, the Prime Minister appointed Britain’s first ever Suicide Prevention Minister, Jackie Doyle-Price. £1.8 million has been put aside for suicide prevention. This highlights the huge significance of this issue across the UK. In Cumbria, on average one person dies per week as a result of suicide (Cumbria Mental Health JSNA, 2016). Lancashire and South Cumbria had the 4th highest suicide rate in the country in 2014-2015 (Current Suicide Picture - Lancashire County Council, Sept 2017). Action for Wellbeing (registered charity number 1179365) exists to reduce the number of suicides in South Cumbria and North Lancashire, to provide support to those considering suicide, and to those bereaved by suicide and/or impacted by suicide in any way. In August 2018, 100 local people completed an Action for Wellbeing survey anonymously. The results were startling. 76% of the respondents had experienced a mental health issue. 47% had contemplated suicide and 56% had been bereaved by suicide. Furthermore, a staggering 85% stated that there was not enough support in this locality for those contemplating suicide. Action for Wellbeing is unique in this area, as we provide the only local, dedicated 1 to 1 support service for those experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. Volunteers provide weekly support for at least 6 months and are recruited from the local community. A number have had personal experience in caring for someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. Indeed, this is often a motivating factor in their decision to volunteer with our charity. Action for Wellbeing is fundraising to open a respite house within the Morecambe Bay area designed specifically for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings. If you wish to donate, please go our GofundMe page: (https://uk.gofundme.com/f/action-for-wellbeingcheyenne-gardner-crisis-house), or contact us directly via email at hello@actionforwellbeing.uk The Cheyenne Gardner Respite House will be named after a wonderful young woman who tragically took her life 4 years ago. Her family have already raised £6000 towards this project.

We are Action for Wellbeing. We believe that one suicide is one too many. We are a registered charity that exists to reduce the number of suicides in South Cumbria and North Lancashire. We provide direct, individualised support to those experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, bereaved by suicide, and those impacted by suicide in any way. We have a dedicated team of volunteers and trustees who each have their own unique experience of suicide. 07568 704 638 hello@actionforwellbeing.uk www.actionforwellbeing.uk