Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service
Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service (BCVS) works to challenge deprivation, health inequalities and social exclusion through empowering local people to engage effectively in voluntary and community activity. We aim to create, support and develop sustainable, strong and vibrant communities. Our work involves communicating and facilitating a strong and effective community voice which will have an influence locally, regionally and nationally.
How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?
Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service are working collaboratively with partner organisations to deliver Bassetlaw’s suicide prevention strategy on behalf of NHS Bassetlaw CCG as part of the Zero Suicide Ambition.
BCVS are currently working alongside Nottinghamshire MIND to deliver free training courses around suicide and self-harm awareness to break the silence of suicide in Bassetlaw.
We are also in the process of delivering a suicide prevention campaign ‘Saving Silent Voices’ locally to raise awareness and beat the stigma around suicide. We are actively supporting Grass Roots Stay Alive App also.

What are your current priorities?
Reducing self-harm in community and acute services
Raising awareness and intervention skills of suicide and self-harm
Raising awareness of suicide and mental health support nationally and in Bassetlaw
Suicide prevention in middle aged men

What challenges are you currently facing?
To achieve outcomes to reduce suicides figures locally in Bassetlaw we aim to work collaboratively with partners across the system to:
Continue to develop effective pathways for suicide prevention and bereavement support through evaluation and analysis
Promote key messages to raise awareness around suicide prevention and self-harm across Bassetlaw, due to its unique geography and rurality
Deliver training to the general public, professionals and the wider community
