I was asked to give a presentation to the Bury (Lancashire) branch of the Samaritans at their AGM on the 27^th of April. Prior to the start of the meeting I gave out our ‘Getting to Know You’ leaflets so that those attending would know something about us beforehand.

 

It was interesting to me that when the Mayor gave his short address he explained how he was involved in providing help to a group of deprived young people in the community and

had asked them what they felt would benefit them most. To his surprise, and I must admit to mine, the group requested a bereavement counsellor. Thus reaffirming how much need there is for reaching vulnerable youngsters.

 

I got a clear message from some of the younger element of the Bury Samaritans that things are changing and that the present Chairman and Committee are anxious to reach out and get more involved in ‘hands on policy’ with local schools.

 

When I was introduced by the Chairman as their guest speaker, despite being a little nervous in a room full to overflowing, I was able - with the help of a prompt sheet from the office - to take on the full house !  I followed the script with a few variations added as I felt fit.

 

I explained how our helpline HOPELineUK differed from Samaritans’ and about the resources we have in Wrexham, of the qualified staff we employ and the continual need for funding. How unique we are as an organisation by having first hand experience of this terrible waste of life due to suicide.

 

I spoke about the work of YoungPAPYRUS  and how essential it is to learn from a younger element – we must listen to what they have to say.

 

Finally in the general question and answer session I had the opportunity to express my views on the necessity to segregate young people admitted to Psychiatric Units from older patients, the impact suicide has on the family, the importance of early intervention and the need to encourage young men to seek help at the earliest opportunity.

 

The presentation left the Branch in no doubt about us and of the possibility of working in co-operation with each other.

 

Arthur Tomlinson

Building Bridges

Following our application for a slot on the Radio 4 Appeal Lincoln Lawley and Nicki Ray attended a briefing meeting at the BBC.  Subsequently  PAPYRUS has been allocated a broadcast slot on January 7th 2007.

In May Tony Cox and Anne Parry led a workshop at a Pavilion conference in Manchester which was based on the book ‘New Approaches to Preventing Suicide’. This book contains a chapter about   PAPYRUS.

Olwyn Bloor and Anne Parry have been to a first meeting in Rivendell, New Hall Prison, Wakefield to start the ball rolling regarding the production of another resource for use in Young Offender Institutions( YOIs). Our first booklet for YOIs - ‘Need to Talk ?’ -targets young men: the next one will be for young women in prison. Many thanks to the staff at New Hall for their warm reception.

Arthur Tomlinson attended the launch of the East Lancashire Suicide Prevention Strategy on June 27^th at Accrington Town Hall.  Copies of the strategy are available from our office.

The  draft Coroners Bill was released in June.

This follows a two year review conducted by the Home Office Review Team under the chairmanship of Tom Luce. Many PAPYRUS members contributed at the consultation stage.

The draft Bill can be found on this page together with the response of the Coroners Society.

By the time you read this our team – which includes Trustees Angela Robinson and Brian Jenkins - will have completed the British 10K London Run. If you haven’t sent your sponsorship money. It’s still not too late!!

Jackie and Helen Denny at the finish line of the London 10k.