Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council, along with local partners including Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), are launching a new Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Partners have also awarded £96,000 in small grants to enable community groups to support the mental wellbeing of their local residents.
The Strategy is the result of collaborative work across local organisations and with people who have lived experience of suicidality and bereavement by suicide. People with lived experience have helped shape the vision and ambitions of the Strategy and have shared their personal stories to inspire others to take action to help prevent suicide in the future.
Local people have also developed a Suicide Prevention Charter, setting out the values and principles that matter to them and what organisations should aspire to. A message of hope underpins the Charter, serving as a reminder that recovery is possible.
The aims of the Strategy are to promote wellbeing and reduce suicide and self-harm through four key ambitions:
- Promoting a safe and stigma-free environment: Tackling stigma, raising awareness, promoting online safety, continuing to develop a skilled workforce, and making places safer.
- Promoting wellbeing and reducing risk in at-risk groups: Promoting positive opportunities and environments, and developing tailored approaches for people in risk groups and those experiencing challenging life factors.
- Ensuring people get the right support, at the right time and in the right place: Supporting access to effective crisis support services and timely support for people bereaved by suicide.
- Ensuring local data and lived experience inform and drive self-harm and suicide prevention: Understanding the experiences of local people to inform strategies and approaches.
Local organisations and services are now signing up to pledge their commitment to deliver on the aims and ambitions of the Strategy and Charter. Early adopters who have pledged their commitment include Nottinghamshire Police, local charity Harmless, Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service, and the Social Prescribing Link Worker Team at Aspire PCN.
Alongside the Strategy, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB have allocated over £96,000 in mental wellbeing and suicide prevention community grants. This funding will help 34 groups across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to support the mental wellbeing of local residents through a range of activities that will contribute to reducing the risk of suicide.
Councillor Scott Carlton, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“Preventing suicide and self-harm is an incredibly important area of work. This Strategy sets out how we will address the issues of suicide and self-harm and ensure that people who need support know that there is hope – and where to turn to get support. As we move forward together on the delivery of this important Strategy, we will be asking our partners and local organisations to pledge their commitment to the aims of the Strategy and the Suicide Prevention Charter, setting out their own actions to promote wellbeing and reduce suicide and self-harm.
“I’m delighted to announce funding of £96,000 to be used by community groups to support local residents through activities that contribute to their wellbeing and help to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm.”
Councillor Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Public Health at Nottingham City Council, said:
“I’m proud to support the launch of this crucial Strategy, which has been developed by working closely with people with lived experience. The Suicide Prevention Charter will be an important resource that helps all types of local organisations put our shared principle – that self-harm and suicide prevention are everyone’s business – into action.”
People with lived experience who helped shape the Strategy and develop the Charter said:
- “The Suicide Prevention Strategy and Charter are of huge importance, and I hope to see the Charter statements become the norm within society. If they become the norm, I believe many suicides will be prevented. It is too late for my daughter Elli, but it is not too late for others.”
- “I can hear the voice of our son, Ben, who ended his life on 23 November 2018, echo many of the statements in this Charter. I believe this Charter can make a positive difference to help others in need.”
- “Working together on the Suicide Prevention Charter was very connecting and supportive, offering hope and recovery.”
If you or someone you know is having thoughts about suicide, help is available. If you are in need of urgent support, call the Nottinghamshire Mental Health Crisis Line on 111 and select option 2 (24/7). If you need immediate help because you can’t keep yourself safe or have already harmed yourself, seek emergency help by calling 999 or visiting your local A&E.
People in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can find mental health advice and local services at nottalone.org.uk.
Quotes from Groups Receiving Mental Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Grants:
Rhubarb Farm
“Thanks to this generous funding, Rhubarb Farm is excited to announce Grow Together, a free therapeutic horticulture programme supporting the wellbeing of those most at risk of suicide in Nottinghamshire.
“Over eight weeks, participants will work together to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers from seed – from sowing and planting to preparing produce for sale. Tending to wellbeing as we tend our plot, Grow Together will provide a nurturing space to grow in confidence, connect with others, and enjoy the amazing healing benefits of gardening.”
– Georgina Heron, Mental Health Lead, Rhubarb Farm CIC
Epic Partners
“The suicide prevention funding Epic Partners received has been invaluable in providing a range of wellbeing activities for children and young people in Sneinton and St Ann’s. These sessions create safe spaces for young people to connect, express themselves, and build resilience – helping to nurture positive mental health and brighter futures.”
Epic Partners has been able to offer a variety of wellbeing-focused activities for young people in Sneinton and St Ann’s, including:
- Sports and Physical Activities: Football, basketball, and dance sessions that encourage teamwork, boost confidence, and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
- Creative Arts & Music: Art workshops and drama activities that provide a positive outlet for self-expression and emotional resilience.
- Mindfulness & Wellbeing Sessions: Relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and mental health awareness workshops to help young people develop coping strategies and emotional strength.
- Social & Community Engagement: Safe spaces for young people to socialise, build friendships, and take part in community projects that create a sense of belonging and purpose.
– Kevin Brown, Chief Operations Officer, Epic Partners
Nottingham Counselling Services
“Nottingham Counselling Services is pleased to announce the receipt of vital public health funding, which will significantly enhance our ability to address the complex challenges of trauma, loss, and recovery for those experiencing poor mental health. This funding will empower us to upskill our expert teams to meet the growing demands of those affected by suicide and suicidal thoughts, while broadening our range of trauma-informed therapies and innovative, creative interventions. These approaches are designed specifically to reach individuals who struggle to engage with traditional talking therapies, offering a richer, more accessible experience that promotes creative expression, improves mental health outcomes, reduces risk, and fosters collaborative efforts to transform lives.”
– Shoana Qureshi-Khan
