Listening Ear are excited to announce the launch of the new Amparo Thames Valley – Support after Suicide service. Amparo, a unique Suicide Postvention service, is part of Listening Ear; a registered charity and growing social enterprise offering services accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, with its headquarters in Merseyside.
The new Amparo service, funded by Oxford Clinical Commissioning Group, will provide free support to individuals and families across Thames Valley, as well as for professionals supporting the bereaved.
The Amparo footprint covers a population of over 12 million people, or approximately 23% of the population of England, making it the largest provider of support after suicide in the country. Within these areas, there are significant demographic differences, in particular their population make up and the diversity of their communities. Amparo has been successful in both urban and rural areas, providing a service that is individualised for each beneficiary.
The free support offer includes:
- Contact within 24 hours of a referral
- One to one support from a named Amparo Liaison Worker
- Information, practical and emotional support
- Practical support liaising with Police and other agencies
- Support at Inquest
- Help with any media enquiries
- Help overcoming any feelings of isolation
- Referrals and signposting to other services as required
- CYP Counselling
- Critical Incident Debriefing
- Zoom awareness sessions for professionals – https://amparo.org.uk/free-briefing-session/
Richard Brown CEO of Listening Ear “We are delighted with the recent announcement that Amparo will now be available to people living in Thames Valley. Amparo has grown from its Merseyside base to now support people in Cheshire, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Kent and Medway, Coventry and Warwickshire, Lancashire, Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Extending our service across Thames Valley means we now cover over 23% of the English population. Support for those bereaved by suicide is one of the six priorities in the national strategy, “Preventing suicide in England – A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, 2012.” Amparo focuses on this support and helps those affected with practical and emotional support”
Since the commencement of the Amparo service in other areas of England no beneficiaries have gone on to take their own life as evidenced by a coroner office audit. Amparo is free of charge and does not have a waiting list.
To refer a person who has been affected by suicide into Amparo,
Call 0300 088 9255
https://amparo.org.uk
Need Urgent Help?
If you need help or are worried about someone, the following services offer immediate support:
• SAMARITANS – Call 116123 or visit: www.samaritans.org
• PAPYRUS – Call 0800 068 41 41, Text: 07786 209697 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
• CALM – Call 080058 58 58 or visit :www.thecalmzone.org