I am a suicide prevention and bereavement consultant and a volunteer Samaritans listener, with a passion for preventing suicides and supporting people bereaved or affected by suicide.

Since the loss of my Father to suicide 10 years ago I have used my professional and personal experience to help people understand the effects of suicide by speaking at conferences, contributing towards regional suicide prevention strategies and action plans, sitting on advisory groups and conducting research to help improve suicide prevention and bereavement services.

My Fellowship will take me to Australia to research best practice in collecting insights from people with lived experience of suicide (attempts, bereavement or affected by suicide). I will gather understanding in how to work safely and effectively with people affected by suicide and contribute towards the development of UK national guidelines for professionals.

This research project is intended to give an equal voice to those who have been affected by suicide and professionals alike, to ensure all parties' wellbeing is considered and to improve the effectiveness of the participative process.