CHARITY
Help shine a light on suicide
Founder - the Headlight Project ' s Catherine Devereux .
Founded in memory of popular local businessman Russ Devereux , the Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Tees Valley area through a combination of offering therapy to those bereaved by suicide plus preventative education and training .
The Teesside-based Headlight Project , which was founded by Russ ’ s wife Catherine , offers a range of counselling and therapy services for those bereaved by losing a loved one to suicide .
Catherine says : “ Grief from suicide is complex and those bereaved are at higher risk to die by suicide themselves . We aim to support those bereaved through specialist one-to-one counselling , play therapy for children , various trauma therapies and support groups .
“ Suicide is a community problem , and everyone can help . Through awareness presentations and campaigns , evidencebased training , education and workshops , we aim to provide our local community with the knowledge and skills to help reduce the number of deaths by suicide .”
The Headlight Project is keen to win more support from the local business community through what it calls its “ 5th Wheel ”. Becoming an official member of the 5th Wheel , either as a supporter or partner , publicly shows support for the Headlight Project and in turn raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention .
5th Wheel members receive an official digital logo for their own marketing purposes and their company logo is featured on the Headlight Project ’ s website too . They also benefit from positive PR , social media and networking opportunities at the charity ’ s events .
Contributions can be monetary or a gift in kind of time , products or services . “ We are keen to work together with local businesses and to develop lasting and mutually beneficial relationships ,” adds Catherine .
Partners receive the added benefits of a free suicide awareness presentation at their workplace , priority access to event places , discounts on suicide prevention training and an exclusive annual event .
To find out more about the charity , visit headlightproject . org
The tide is high
Exciting opportunities to become a corporate partner of the High Tide Foundation have come along .
The charity , which delivers meaningful work experience programmes to schools , colleges and young people across the Tees Valley , is looking for more corporate partnerships .
Lauren Bywater , general manager at the High Tide Foundation , says they want to add to their support group of Casper Shipping , Jacksons Law Firm , PD Ports and Active Financial .
“ Our corporate partners are not just a number , as we only choose one business per sector , rather than having several corporate partners who all work in the same industry ,” says Lauren .
Corporate partnership creates many benefits that go beyond raising vital funds for the charity , which doesn ’ t have the advantage of a large team of fundraisers .
Lauren says this also demonstrates there is much more to working life than just picking up a salary , as they get a taste for office culture , the atmosphere and what businesses have to offer them .
“ We are helping to retain young talent here on Teesside and really help businesses with recruiting that talent ,” says Lauren .
The High Tide Foundation , which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary , is always looking for businesses of all sizes and sectors to get involved with its work experience programmes and influence and shape the Teesside workforces of tomorrow .
As it moves into the next decade , the charity has clear ambitions to work with every secondary school in the Tees Valley and all young people aged 11 to 16 , with the help of its dedicated , hands-on team of recently appointed trustees .
For students in years nine to 11 , this could mean experiencing up to five different workplaces in a week , in a revision to programmes , which also has benefits for the businesses involved .
Lauren explains : “ Instead of taking one student for five days , we ’ re asking if businesses could take 10 students for one day and those students can experience up to five
WORDS : SARAH WALKER PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Making a splash – from left , Toby Joel of Jacksons Law Firm , Michael Shakesheff of Casper Shipping , Lauren Bywater of High Tide , Emily Skillcorn of Jacksons Law Firm and Ruth Conner of Active Financial .
different workplaces over the week .
The High Tide Foundation is expecting high demand from secondary schools over the next decade , so it is keen to talk to any businesses that would like to get involved in delivering meaningful work experience to young people across the Tees Valley .
For more information , visit hightidefoundation . co . uk / forbusinesses .
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