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Maytree Respite Centre
Maytree is a national registered charity. We provide a unique residential service for people in suicidal crisis so they can talk about their suicidal thoughts and behaviour. We offer a free 4-night, 5-day one-off stay to adults over the age of 18 from across the UK. Our aim is to provide a safe, confidential, non-medical environment for our guests, somewhere our guests can explore their thoughts and feelings, and feel heard with compassion and without judgement.
Founded in 2002, our service runs 365 days a year. A small staff team and our volunteers spend many hours with each guest during their stay, providing the opportunity for them to explore their thoughts and feelings.
Maytree remains unique in the service it offers. This year we want to open a second house in Manchester.
How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?
Maytree’s primary aim is to alleviate suffering and support people struggling with suicidal feelings. We do this by providing a safe, residential, non-medical environment for guests, so they can explore their suicidal thoughts and feelings in-depth, and more about how they have arrived at these feelings. The hope is that our guests reconnect with hope and find a way through their suicidal feelings.
We also offer free suicide awareness and prevention trainings for professionals who may work with suicidal individuals or groups, and aim to challenge the stigma around suicidality.
What are your current priorities?
Our current priorities are planning a safe re-opening of our main residential service during the pandemic and continuing with volunteer recruitment remotely. We’d also like to resume our pre-pandemic plans of opening a second centre in Manchester as soon as possible. We’re aware just how much the pandemic has impacted people’s mental health, especially those who were already vulnerable, so we’re focused on continuing to support as many people as possible.
What challenges are you currently facing?
Our current challenges involve navigating the uncertainties of the pandemic. Our residential service has temporarily closed in line with government guidelines. In place of this, we offer five weekly calls to mirror the benefits of a 5-day residential stay, with lines and emails open daily from 9am-7pm, and all other events such as training are continuing remotely.