Priory Rotary Donation to Local Suicide Charity

Members of Priory Rotary club were given a very instructive and powerful talk on the effects of suicide on surviving family members and friends by the Reverend Chris Copsey. She explained that suicide is a bereavement like no other. It is often very traumatic and not only affects close family and friends but also colleagues, professionals and the local community.

Hope After Suicide Loss, HOPE, is a charity that is peer led and offers open ended support for anyone over 18 who has been bereaved by suicide in Norfolk and Suffolk. HOPE offers emotional support, help and information through personal phone support, face to face support groups and a website www.hopeaftersuicideloss.org.uk.

Joining HOPE many have found compassion, understanding and gentle optimism.

“After losing my dad, the support that HOPE has given me has been absolutely invaluable. To be around other survivors who understood and spoke the same language after having experienced this trauma no longer made me feel isolated or alone. It really was with the help of Hope that aided me through this grieving process.” Paige

“At HOPE, it's a safe place to say what you feel to people that understand you. People try to comfort you but unless they have experienced suicide loss themselves it's very difficult to fully understand how completely your life is altered and how you have changed as a person forever. Sometimes people find it hard to discuss suicide and you can feel like you can talk about your thoughts and feelings, so going to the group allows you time and a safe place to do so” Stacy

Pictured are Reverend Chris Copsey receiving a cheque from Rotarians Jonathan Holmes, Peter Tasker and Ken Banks.

The Rev. Canon Chris Copsey is part of the ministry team at The Minster in King’s Lynn and became Chaplain to Norfolk County Council from 2007-14. In 2011 she became Chaplain to the Norfolk Coroner, a unique Chaplaincy in the UK and in that role provides pastoral care to people attending inquests. She became a Director and Trustee of HOPE in 2018.