Lancashire residents set to benefit from continued suicide bereavement support

Date posted: 26th September 2019

A service providing support to those bereaved by a suspected suicide has received additional funding so that it can continue helping Lancashire residents.

AMPARO Fylde Coast and AMPARO East Lancashire have both had their funding extended until March 2020, offering vital support to local people thanks to national funding aimed at preventing suicides and supporting those bereaved through suicide in the region.

AMPARO means ‘shelter’ or ‘safe haven’ in Spanish, and the service provides support for anyone affected by suicide, including family members, friends or colleagues.

AMPARO provides support in a range of ways including;

  • one to one individual support
  • help with media enquiries
  • support and guidance up to and including the inquest
  • signposting to further services.

Louise Thomas, Suicide Prevention Lead for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

"It's fantastic news that AMPARO can continue to offer its invaluable service to people going through the unimaginable. People have told us how lengthy and complex the process following a suspected suicide can be, so having AMPARO available to offer expert advice and guidance to support people through this time, is invaluable."

We have one of the highest rates of suicide in the country and we know that those bereaved by suicide are at much higher risk, therefore it is crucial we are able to provide immediate help and support to those bereaved.”

Confirmation of the continuation of AMPARO’s services will be shared with all front-line workers who are most likely to be in contact with those affected by a suspected suicide - including GPs, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and coroners.

​​​Read about our suicide prevention work here.

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