RunningSpace

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

– By educating and training communities to become able, appropriate and available to support those struggling with thoughts of suicide through our safeTALK delivery.

– By pioneering a worldwide movement of runners who will run, pray, and raise awareness for those affected by suicide. We run, walk or pray together once a month, and on World Suicide Prevention Day we run and pray on the hour, every hour for 24 hours.

– By working with communities to build prevention and recovery programmes which include Walk2Run groups, building connections, developing links with clinicians, facilitating volunteering, and creating jobs.

What are your current priorities?

The World Health Organisation states that protectors against suicide include: strong personal relationships, positive life skills and faith / spirituality; the RunningSpace model works to deliver on all three.
There is expressed demand for RunningSpace in new locations and, for the next two years, we will be working with the Cinnamon Network to prepare us for replication. We have already multiplied and are working in Swale, Hastings and Eastbourne, but of course there is need all across the UK.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Our volunteer coaches are the heartbeat of RunningSpace;  they compassionately and faithfully teach participants how to run from walking. RunningSpace depends on authentic relationships, so we are always looking for local people to champion RunningSpace in their own communities.
We welcome those who have a passion for life, a burden for those struggling with their mental health and suicide in particular, and a desire to run shoulder-to-shoulder with people. If you would like to help we can mentor and teach you how to deliver RunningSpace in your community.