James’ Place
James’ Place saves the lives of men in suicidal crisis. We are a charity offering free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men in London, the North East, and the North West.
We were founded by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley after they lost their 21-year-old son, James to suicide. James went looking for someone to talk to about his anxiety and suicidal thoughts but sadly didn’t find the urgent help he needed. We believe death by suicide is preventable and our mission is to stop men dying by suicide.
How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?
James’ Place has three centres in Liverpool, London and Newcastle offering free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men, and those identifying as male, over the age of 18. The men we treat are in a suicidal crisis largely driven by life events such as a relationship breakdown, financial problems or bereavement. We are unique because our treatment is proven to work, quick to access and delivered in a safe, friendly, non-clinical environment by trained, professional therapists. Our professional therapists get quickly to the heart of a man’s suicidal crisis and help him solve it. We have treated over 1,800 suicidal men since the opening of our first centre in 2018.
Men can self-refer or be referred to us by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family member. Visit www.jamesplace.org.uk for more information.
What are your current priorities?
Over the next few years we aim to open two new centres in England. With five centres open we could treat up to 2,000 men a year once at full capacity. We know that our treatment works and our aim is that, by the end of 2026, half the male population in England will be within two hours of one our centres.
What challenges are you currently facing?
We know there are men all over England in urgent need of our life-saving treatment. Our main challenge is to raise the funds needed to open our new centres by the end of 2026, and to continue to raise awareness that our service exists to ensure we can reach men at their point of crisis.