SPIIOW – the Isle of Wight’s Suicide Prevention and Intervention front line charity have taken things to new heights in an already busy month for the team. Thanks to some in-house fundraising and the very kind donations of the Island Community six of the front line team members have been put through their paces in this latest training.
Sarah Adams of Suicide Prevention & Intervention IOW says:
SPIIOW are always looking at ways we can add to our front line team to help a person who is at risk and for this to be carried out in a safe and controlled manner. The team have undertaken Safe Working at Height (SWAH) that includes (but not limited to) rope work, Medical considerations, Technical Equipment, Pre-planning, and other specialist equipment required to carry out the task.
I want to make it absolutely clear that we are not the HM Coastguard and if anyone sees someone in trouble along the cliff, beach or at sea they should contact the Coastguard by calling 999, – with this training our teams are not permitted to go down the cliff face but to undertake our work to the cliff edge safely and quickly.
Our teams have undertaken this accredited training by one of the UK’s leading water, at height, and confined space safety and technical rescue training providers, as used by emergency services across the country. As we actively undertake community engagement in high risk locations, with this training we can act slightly quicker in a safe and controlled way, using our skills in crisis / suicide intervention to offer supportive listening, to start a dialogue and to encourage more hopeful solutions than suicide – and work to keeping that person safe for now until further help arrives.
The team have already used the training and equipment to the level they have been trained to.
Someone at risk from Suicide?
If you think or believe that someone you know or have seen someone who is at risk from ending their life from suicide you can make contact with our front line team 24 hours a day in the following ways:
SPI Crisis Number (Suicide Intervention Only) (01983) 667 247 this number is only to be used if you or someone you know is at risk of ending their life by suicide. If you need to talk to a listening ear by phone please call the Samaritans on 116 123
Emergency
If you or someone you know has already acted on the thoughts of suicide please call 999 and ask for the ambulance, giving them as much information as you can
Anyone interested in learning or joining the front line team can contact SPIIOW at hello@spiiow.org