The Martin Gallier Project, a charity focused on suicide prevention based in Wirral, has revealed plans to establish a new location in Chester city centre.
The new facility, which is set to open in late April, will be based on Werburgh Street.
The Martin Gallier Project will offer immediate non-clinical support to anyone over the age of 16 who is affected by suicide, with no waiting list and no criteria to access support. The mission of the charity is to create a suicide safer community by preventing suicides, breaking down stigmas and supporting families.
Having launched in 2019, the committed team at The Martin Gallier Project has facilitated more than 22,500 interventions to prevent suicide from their New Ferry location.
Additionally, they conduct an annual suicide prevention conference and organize various events aimed at reducing stigma, while working in collaboration with businesses, schools, and third-sector organizations in the area to advance suicide prevention strategies and initiatives promoting workplace wellbeing.
The team have also recently signed a two-year partnership with Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Trust to deliver ground-breaking suicide support services to people with suicidal thoughts who present at hospital from across the region.
The partnership, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was formed to help ‘bridge the gap’ for individuals presenting at A&E with thoughts of suicide or following a suicide attempt. The team are confident that this collaboration is making a real difference to the lives of individuals affected by suicide, reducing repeat incidents and ultimately elevating pressure on local NHS services.
“The partnership with CWP has been transformational in terms of suicide prevention in the local area,” commented the charity’s CEO Jessica Gallier. “Within 24 hours of someone presenting at hospital with suicidal thoughts, our experienced team of Suicide Intervention Workers contact the individuals directly.
“By engaging with people on a one-to-one basis, in a safe and non-clinical environment, we can establish a safety plan to keep them safe from suicide while addressing their life stressors and emotional needs. We feel that this one-to-one support is essential at the point of crisis for people who might not have the emotional reserves to explore and understand the full breadth of support available to them and is the main driver behind the collaboration.”
Several Chester-based businesses, including We Love Good Times, Hickory’s Smokehouse, and Artezzan restaurant, have already made pledges to support the service, which depends on continual funding from the National Lottery, the Steve Morgan Foundation, and other charitable donations.
Speaking about the new addition to The Martin Gallier Project family, the charity’s CEO Jessica Gallier said: “We are overwhelmed by the level of support we have received from the local community since we announced our plan to open a centre in Chester. We are so proud of the work we have done for families on Wirral and beyond, we are eager to establish a warm and welcoming space here in the city.”
The Martin Gallier Project Chester, will offer a wide range of services from suicide intervention to peer support groups and even funded spaces on ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) for those supporting their loved ones struggling with suicidal ideation. If you would like to know more about The Martin Gallier Project’s services or would like to offer your support, please visit www.themartingallierproject.org 
for more information.
The Martin Gallier Project’s Wirral service is open 7 days a week, 9.30am till 4.30pm and is contactable on 01516440294. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article please feel free to reach out.
Outside of these hours you can call Crisis Line on 08001456485 or Samaritans on 116123 both of which are available 24/7. If you are in immediate danger or feel unable to keep yourself safe please call 999 or attend A&E.
Image: Martin Gallier Project Team at their recent Suicide Prevention Conference
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