EPiC HOPE

We are a suicide prevention and intervention non-profit organisation serving the Borough of Wigan and surrounding areas. We opened EPiC HOPE Harbours, safe spaces to hold peer support groups for anyone and everyone struggling with mental health issues or feeling close to crisis.

HOPE Circuits which were developed in order for us to deliver trained suicide support volunteers/teams who visit areas throughout the Wigan borough where suicide rates are known to be high.

Our founder developed the EPiC Method cards which are waterproof and tearproof business sized cards given out to as many members of the community as possible so that all of us can be suicide aware. All resources are available on our website.

How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?

We hold Harbours which are safe spaces held three times a week every week for anyone and everyone in a community to access, especially for people feeling suicidal or people affected by suicide.

We have a website of resources, including our EPiC Method cards, which are a tool created by our founder to provide information and guidance to all to be able to identify the signs of someone feeling suicidal and what necessary steps to take.

What are your current priorities?

We are currently and successfully building partnerships with the local authority and health care authorities which helps our service become more accessible to the public which is a priority.
We are training up more volunteers in order to sustain our Harbours’ facilitation and open others around the borough.
We are currently producing our own Peer Support Facilitator Training Programme.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Securing funding for opening more Harbours. The need is great. We are learning more in this area.
Time management, as each of the director’s have jobs as well as running the CIC. However, it is our passion and determination to reduce, even stop, suicides in our town.