Help shape suicide support service

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A specialist suicide bereavement peer support group will launch in North Somerset later this year, thanks to funding from North Somerset Council.

Pete’s Dragons, which specialises in postvention or suicide bereavement, has been commissioned by North Somerset Council to offer support to people who have been impacted by suicide.

Founded by Alison Jordan, the charity is named after her brother Pete who took his own life aged 24. Pete’s Dragons offers specialist support to people who have been impacted by suicide as well as an extensive range of training in all aspects of mental wellbeing and suicide postvention, intervention and prevention.  

As part of the support they can provide, Pete’s Dragon’s will be running a monthly peer support group in North Somerset. 

North Somerset residents who have been affected by suicide are being asked to complete a short survey which will help Pete’s Dragon to tailor the support they provide in the area. 

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and will help Pete’s Dragons to provide a bespoke service in North Somerset. 

Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Executive Member for Health, said: “I’m really pleased we’re working with Pete’s Dragons and that residents here in North Somerset will benefit from their specialist support.

“I’d encourage anyone in North Somerset who’s been impacted by suicide to go online and complete the survey so we can help make sure the support provided is what is needed. 

“Please have your say on how, where and when the peer support groups should be held. Just go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/suicidesupportsurvey.” 

Alison, who is also Chief Executive of Pete’s Dragons, said: “We are delighted to be the recipients of funding to provide peer support groups for those impacted by suicide in North Somerset.  

“Pete’s Dragons are specialists in suicide bereavement support and have been running a service throughout Devon since 2015. We’re very much looking forward to being able to share our skills and knowledge for the benefit of North Somerset residents.”

More information about Pete’s Dragons and the support they provide is available at www.petesdragons.org.uk.