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Maytree - supporting people in suicidal crisis

24 hours
Individual
Bookable
This service is free
National
What do we offer? 

Maytree is a registered charity supporting people in suicidal crisis in a non-medical setting. Our mission is to alleviate suffering and help people in suicidal crisis to re-engage with life and to restore hope.  The Maytree Suicide Respite Centre is the only place of its kind in the UK.  It fills a gap in services, between the medical support of the NHS and the helplines and drop-in centres of the voluntary sector.  We offer a free 4-night/5-day stay, and the opportunity to be befriended and heard in complete confidence, without judgement and with compassion and warmth.  

Who should use this service? 
Individuals who are feeling suicidal. This service is not for people who are homeless and those who are regular users of alcohol or drugs.
What is the referral process for this service? 

Following a telephone call or email, you will be offered an initial assessment and from there may be offered the chance to stay. You can telephone or email us about yourself or someone you would like to refer or put in touch with us. Maytree is open for calls and emails 24 hours a day and we will welcome you telling us about the crisis you are experiencing and your thoughts and feelings, which will allow us to begin to get to know you. If you are feeling desperately alone, this itself may be a relief and a help.  It is also an opportunity for us to tell you more about what Maytree can offer and how we work. The next step is to arrange an assessment.  The assessment is no more than an informal conversation, but it is a time to explore things more fully with you, to get to know you and your needs, and to form a view about whether a stay might be a help to you.  Sadly, we are not the right place for everyone. If we can’t meet your needs for some reason, we’ll do our best to think of someone who can. 

 
Wait times and limits 
Maytree is not an acute service; therefore, if you feel you are at immediate risk of suicide you should dial 999 immediately. We are not a drop-in service and if you arrive at our door unannounced, you will be turned away. We cannot stipulate in advance how long it may take to be offered a stay or even whether a stay may be suitable, but it is usual for this process to take around two weeks. If a stay at Maytree is agreed, this will be of four nights/five days. The stay aims to be a turning point of long-term significance, therefore, you may only stay at Maytree once.
Volunteer opportunities 
Yes
Volunteer notes 

The essence of the volunteer's role is welcoming and ‘befriending’ guests who stay at the house, enabling the other person to feel heard and valued. Volunteers also befriend potential guests over the telephone and email. A volunteer's role will also include making sure the house is running smoothly which may include cooking basic meals and other household tasks. To find out more, visit http://www.maytree.org.uk/want-to-help.php

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