Resident-led idea gets funding to deliver emotional resilience project

In particular, friends closest to Ben and residents living alongside him in Newcastle upon Tyne found themselves struggling to deal with their grief and emotions, and came to realise that there was a gap in public support services.

With staff and residents coming together to discuss what help was available, a group was set up – of 12 residents, Tyne Housing staff, management and board members – to come up with ideas around well-being and emotional resilience.

This was done not only to support people going through similar circumstances, but to also create a legacy for Ben.

Karl, a friend of Ben and part of the residents’ consultation group, said: “Ben was a brilliant guy and a great friend, and many of us struggled to cope in the early days. It impacted us a lot.

“I know Ben is one of a bigger group of people who tragically have taken their own life, but when it’s someone you know, a neighbour and a friend, it hits you hard. We will never forget Ben and his passing has been our motivation to help others and hopefully reduce the numbers of people struggling with their mental health.”

The ‘Reaching Communities Emotional Resilience’ programme can now get up and running thanks to the three-year funding package from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Duncan Nicholson, head of funding for North East and Cumbria at the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We work with and alongside communities, responding to their unique needs and opportunities, and focusing on the areas of greatest need.

“Mental health is such an important issue in our region, so we’re delighted to fund Tyne Housing’s new community-led initiative to expand their health and well-being services and continue to support some of the most vulnerable people across Tyneside and Northumberland.”

The scheme will be delivered from the Joseph Cowen Health Centre in Byker and will further enhance and expand Tyne’s health and well-being offer.

It will be available to Tyne residents and visitors living in Tyneside and Northumberland and could also pave the way for other organisations to develop similar schemes across the country.

The landlord supports more than 1,000 people each year through its accommodation and support services across the North East in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

Bryan Beverley, well-being and learning manager at Tyne Housing, said: “We listened very carefully to our residents and visitors who all shared a similar experience of grief and highlighted a specific gap that existed in mental health services at a time when it’s needed most.

“By working with the group, we were able to develop ideas that plugged this specific need, so we are absolutely delighted that our bid has been awarded funding. This is another example whereby dialogue with residents has led to a tangible change in our service delivery, and we’re now actively recruiting emotional resilience support officers to join our progression team and fully implement this initiative.

“This will also support our well-being hub and various peer-mentor health champions projects across Tyneside too, again working closely with partners to deliver valuable outreach activities to the benefit of all residents.”

If you are or a person you know is at risk of suicide, you can reach the Samaritans here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.