New Chair of Trustees for SBS Cumbria

Barrow-based Trustee, Emily Griffiths has taken over from John Brown as Chair of Trustees for Suicide Bereavement Support (SBS) for Cumbria and the surrounding areas. John has led the organisation since it was formed in 2019 and prior to that he led SOBS Cumbria for nine years.

“Bereavement by suicide is a very specific form of loss,” said John. “I have always believed that a locally-based self-help organisation run by and for local people has the potential to provide effective support to those dealing with the utter tragedy that is loss of a loved one, friend or colleague to suicide.”

“I’ve worked in the third sector with various charitable organisations for over 50 years but this is one that has been particularly close to my heart. I will still be an active Trustee and facilitator but the time is right for me to stand down and pass the leadership baton to someone else from within the team of Trustees. Emily will, I know, bring renewed energy and vision to the development of Cumbria’s self-help response to the needs of those whose lives are devastated by suicide. We know the horrific consequences because we have been there and live day to day ourselves with the consequences of such bereavement.”

Emily Griffiths became a member of the group after she was bereaved by suicide herself in 2008. She has been the SBS facilitator in South Cumbria since January 2020, leading the Barrow group’s monthly meetings since then and reinstating the monthly evening meetings in Kendal earlier this year, post-pandemic.

“I’m very passionate regarding my involvement in SBS,” she said. “Myself, the other Trustees, facilitators and group members all come together to support each other, having suffered the most difficult personal loss of a loved one. We do this through monthly meetings across the county and online. We are also working with a network of statutory and non-statutory organisations across Cumbria, taking opportunities to improve awareness of the support available to those bereaved by suicide in the county and surrounding areas. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals and groups who help us to do this and I’m looking forward to leading and encouraging the development of this vital work in future.”

Emily’s appointment takes immediate effect with John continuing as a Trustee of the charity.