The Listening Place

The Listening Place was conceived in 2015 and set up in 2016 in London, by a group of volunteers with a great deal of experience in supporting the suicidal. They had recognised that there is little on going face-to-face support available for many people with chronic suicidal feelings, and that some of this support can be given by well trained and professionally supervised volunteers. Carefully trained and selected volunteers, working in a supportive environment and backed by experienced mental health professionals, have regular meetings with our Visitors who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, plans and actions. We provide fortnightly sessions, based on active listening and befriending: building trust and a supportive relationship, usually for 3 month period. Our impact measurement shows that this helps people with suicidal thoughts to openly discuss, examine and reflect on their situation with a warm and supportive Volunteer. Who are our Visitors? Almost anyone who has suicidal thoughts. The Listening Place can currently support more than 4000 visitors per year. We receive referrals at the rate of over 500 per month and that is increasing every month. Our referrals come from more than 130 partners including the NHS, charities, the Police and Social Services. Visitors are referred by many different parts of the NHS but particularly A&E Departments, mental health triage services, IAPT services and GP practices. The many charities who make referrals include Hestia, Maytree and British Red Cross. People from all walks of life and any life circumstances can feel that life is no longer worth living. The people who we support come from a widely diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and ethnicities; many have been the victims of incredibly challenging situations. Anyone can feel suicidal, and there is no ‘stereotypical’ Visitor.