Men’s Suicide Prevention Grants 2022

The Men’s Suicide Prevention Grants Programme is a partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council, Public Health. The programme funds voluntary and Community Organisations to provide outreach work with targeted communities in order to reduce social isolation. 

The Leeds Suicide Audit 2016 shows that support is particularly needed for White men who have experienced high levels of deprivation in their lives, as this group has the highest suicide rates in the city. National research and local intelligence have also highlighted other groups at risk, including LGBTQIA+ communities, and communities experiencing racial inequity, including Gypsy and Traveller groups.  

£25,000 of funding was secured to run a pilot to support these additional communities as part of the latest round of the programme in spring 2022. In total, over £95,000 was invested in 6 Community Organisations in Leeds. 

The organisations that were awarded funding are: 

• • • • BARCA Leeds 

• • • • Black Health Initiative 
      • Circles Of Life Voice Of Men 
      • Health for All 
      • Humans Being 
      • Yorkshire MESMAC 

The funded activities are: 

• • • • Recruiting and training peer supporters, hosting mental health support groups and delivering culturally appropriate counselling for LGBTQIA+ people. 
      • A multi-agency partnership project providing one-to-one care to help individuals identify, articulate and address the challenges they face, and connecting people to specialist support. An information campaign will also make families, friends and neighbours aware of warning signs and sources of help. 
      • A project raising awareness of suicide within black communities and supporting those most at risk and their families. 
      • A peer support network providing a regular programme of activities, exercise and discussion sessions for men in west Leeds. 

• • • • Bespoke courses for frontline workers to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence to act as men’s wellbeing supporters, whilst ensuring their own wellbeing is looked after. 
      • Recruiting community champions to encourage positive mental health conversations and promote mental health support and suicide prevention services amongst different minoritised ethnic communities. 

These 6 projects will build on the fantastic work already achieved through the Men’s Suicide Prevention Grants programme, which has supported over 1,350 Leeds men since 2018. Read more about the impact of the programme here. 

For more information on grants awarded, visit the What We’ve Funded page.