Community Foundation Surrey’s Mental Health Scale Up Fund supports a new collaboration to expand suicide prevention services across Surrey
In Surrey approximately 92 people a year die by suicide. Each death by suicide is a devastating loss of life and behind these statistics are families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide. With every suicide, there are shockwaves sent through families and communities.
That’s why through the Mental Health Scale Up Fund, Community Foundation Surrey (CFSurrey) is delighted to award funding of over £624,000 over 5-years to a consortium of 4 charities including Oakleaf, Hope Hub, Guildford Action and Rentstart. The consortium will also be working with the University of Surrey to reach young adults in need of support.
This funding will enable the consortium to provide additional specialist suicide prevention work for young adults which:
Listens to and learns from the voice of lived experience in young adults to co-produce services.
Uses a whole family, holistic approach to support and help.
Is targeted at young adults facing multiple disadvantages including economic disadvantage and homelessness.
Collaboration between the groups will enable:
Delivery of groups and activities for young adults with a strong emphasis on building resilience, increasing social interaction, access to volunteering and employment and breaking the cycle of service dependency as well as meeting basic needs such as access to food, clothing, safe accommodation and treatment services.
Additional support will be provided, where necessary, to support mediation with family or carers to build supportive relationships.
Provision of support groups for carers and parents of young adults with suicidal ideation and mental health needs.
Practical life-skills support for those young adults moving to live by themselves for the first time.
The overall change we want to make is that young people in Surrey, aged 18-30 with Mental Health needs, are better supported to prevent a crisis, and therefore suicide rates in Surrey are reduced in people under 30.
Dr Rebecca Bowden, CEO of Community Foundation Surrey said: “CFSurrey’s Mental Health Scale Up Fund is jointly funded by independent private donors, Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB. It clearly demonstrates the power of collective giving to make a significant impact on the vital issue of young people’s mental health and wellbeing in our county. I am particularly delighted that this project will be supporting young adults aged 18-30 by giving practical support to avoid crisis”.
Clive Stone, Oakleaf Chief Executive said: "We are incredibly proud to be part of this vital collaboration. Every life lost to suicide is one too many, and this funding gives us a unique opportunity to work closely with partners to engage young adults before they reach crisis point. Over the next five years, we will co-produce services with those who have lived experience, ensuring that support is not only accessible but truly impactful. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected community where every young person feels heard, supported, and valued."
Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing and Public Health said: ‘Surrey County Council is delighted to support this vital initiative, which stands to transform the lives of young people across Surrey. The joint impact of this consortium will have a lasting benefit to the mental wellbeing of young people across Surrey, supporting them and their families at a time when they need it most’.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership said: "Surrey Heartlands ICB is really proud to support this important initiative, that will make a meaningful difference for young people across Surrey. By reaching those who need it most with compassionate, joined-up support, this collaboration is not only empowering young people and supporting their families—it’s helping to build brighter, more hopeful futures.”
For more information, or learn more about future funding rounds, please contact: grants@cfsurrey.org.uk or visit our website https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/fund/mental-health-scale-up-fund
To enquire about donating to this fund, please email us at: giving@cfsurrey.org.uk