Suicide Prevention Network Grants 2022/23

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (NENC ICS) has a Zero Suicide Ambition via its Suicide Prevention Network. The Network includes a wide range of stakeholders from different organisations from across the region working in partnership with people with lived experience of self-harm and suicide to help meet the following aims – across all age groups:

• Develop suicide safer communities.
• To increase the community-based support for those at risk of suicide, including high risk groups.
• Reduce the number of people who die by suicide including in high-risk groups.
• Reduce the incidence of self-harm and repeated self-harm.
• Reduce the stigma of self-harm and suicide.
• Reduce the impact of self-harm and suicide.
• Increase support for carers and those bereaved by suicide.

For 2022/23, the Suicide Prevention Network Grant Scheme was managed by Ways to Wellness.

Grants of £10,000-£50,000 were available to VCSE organisations for projects in Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. 5 suicide prevention projects have been funded in total, with successful bids from Chilli Studios, Tyneside Mind, Tyneside Womens' Health, Foundation of Light and Vision and Hearing Support.

The projects were overseen by a diverse steering group of professionals, all passionate about mental health and suicide prevention.

"The steering group was key to the overall success of the suicide prevention grant funding process. Having the opportunity to come together collectively and discuss any concerns or highlight the successes of the projects was pivotal. The steering group ensured that the projects were supported, but also added the administrative elements needed to ensure all areas were covered.

Having the group set up from the start allowed for shared knowledge and experience to identify appropriate and worthy projects to receive the funding. Although not involved in this initial phase I was made aware of the high calibre of applications so the steering group was vital in identifying the right projects for this phase of funding.

The range of projects was great. The Chilli Studios' project linking arts and wellbeing activities highlights how early intervention and prevention initiatives can take various forms and achieve successful outcomes for service users.”

- Steering Group Member, Matty Starforth (Public Health Practitioner - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Newcastle Council)

For more information about the Suicide Prevention Grants 22/23 please contact us.