The Listening Place (TLP) provides face-to-face and 100% confidential support for people experiencing suicidal feelings in London. Support is delivered through face-to-face and ongoing appointments and is delivered by a team of 800 highly trained volunteers who are backed by leading professionals in the mental health industry. We have three sites in London, delivering up to 150 appointments per day from 9 am to 9 pm. At any given time, we are providing ongoing support to 1,500 people experiencing suicidal thoughts. We are now receiving an average of 725 referrals per month. At this rate, we are on course to supporting over 8000 people experiencing suicidal feelings this year.
The need for The Listening Place's services is clear amid the UK's struggling mental health landscape, especially for those facing suicidal feelings and crises. In the UK, when someone attempts suicide:
They are usually discharged from hospital within 24 hours.
They are then referred back to their GP who will usually prescribe medication or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
The waiting list for this support is long. Over half of those referred to CBT wait for their initial assessment for over 3 months, one in ten waits for over a year.
Furthermore, interventions like CBT and medication lack conclusive evidence for addressing suicidal ideation. TLP presents an evidence-based alternative to statutory services tailored specifically to the needs of people experiencing suicidal feelings. We do this by basing our support on the following principles:
· No waiting list: Every referral is contacted within 24 hours, and we offer a first appointment within seven days, providing urgent and responsive support to those in need.
· 100% confidential: One of the fears for suicidal people is that their suicidal feelings could affect their job or family. Confidentiality ensures they can share their pain without fear of repercussions.
· Face-to-face: We focus on the value and trust created by face-to-face contact and the power of body language and non-verbal communication when having a difficult conversation.
· Volunteer-led: Our service is led by a team of 800 highly trained volunteers who deliver appointments, train fellow volunteers and shape the delivery of our support. Relying on volunteers makes our work extremely cost-effective – it only costs us £243 to support one person with face-to-face and ongoing appointments. By using volunteers, we have unlocked a huge potential workforce who can positively contribute to suicide prevention.
· Compassionate and consistent: At TLP, visitors attend fortnightly appointments with the same volunteer, which means visitors do not have to repeat their experience at every appointment
The true impact of our support is captured by the feedback of our visitors which showcase how our service can make a positive difference in their lives:
"I feel like a human who is experiencing suicidal thoughts not a diagnosis flaring up. I feel listened to and I feel I have a place where I can talk honestly and openly about my feelings without being told something like 'don't be silly now, will you?' Instead here we unpack thoughts, feelings, triggers, behaviours, responses and reactions which all make up why I feel certain ways. I feel no pressure to talk about certain subjects here, the onus is on me and I do not feel like I am wasting time talking about things that may seem trivial to others." - TLP Visitor, January 2024
"I have found refuge in TLP as it has helped me through some of the most painful experiences of my life. I cannot thank everyone enough for the consistency of the service and the support received." - TLP Visitor, May 2024
"When I was feeling incredibly unsafe in myself and out in the world, TLP gave me a place to feel safe, be honest with myself. My volunteer has touched my life in a very meaningful way." - TLP Visitor, November 2024
Crucially, our most recent impact evaluation of 1929 visitors shows that on average, suicidal ideation scores of visitors drop by 33%, distress levels decrease by 24%, and feelings of support increase by 36%. These results are reinforced by the fact that of 927 people asked, 100% of visitors feel safe and report a positive experience at TLP, while 99% feel they can openly discuss their suicidal thoughts. With The Pixel Fund's support, TLP is growing to become a key part of suicide prevention efforts in the capital. We look forward to continuing our work together.