• 04 October 2013

Churches Initiative on Suicide: church leaders invited to focus groups

Flourish! is a partnership between the Churches’ Community Work Alliance NI, Lighthouse Ireland and clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland. The initiative has the support of the leaders of the four larger churches in Ireland and has been developed in partnership with and supported by the Public Health Agency.

We invite clergy, church youth workers, church lay leaders, lay pastoral workers and other church staff from all churches to attend any of the following 5 Focus Groups. We are keen to introduce the initiative and to hear your feedback on the materials developed to support churches.

  • Wednesday 6 November: Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre

  • Dromantine, Newry

  • Tuesday 12 November:The Lurach Centre, Church Street, Maghera

  • Tuesday 19 November:First Omagh Presbyterian Church, Dublin Road, Omagh

  • Tuesday 26 November:First Bangor Presbyterian Church, Main St, Bangor

  • Wednesday 4 December:Grosvenor House, Glengall Street, Belfast

To register your place, please go to Flourish Focus Groups on Eventbrite or email: info@wewillflourish.org

In a joint statement, church leaders have endorsed Flourish saying, 

“Churches are at the forefront in caring for families and communities who have been affected by the suicide of a loved one. This support, which takes many forms, is long term and holistic. The project aims to enhance this support through training, awareness raising and helpful liturgical initiatives…it has the potential to make an important contribution to the care of many in our society.”

Programme

9.30 am: Tea/Coffee/Scones & Registration

10.00 am: Overview of Flourish!

  • Steps so far

  • Suicide Awareness Guidelines For Clergy

  • Flourish! Website

  • Mental Health Sunday

  • Feedback session

11.00 am: Tea/Coffee Break

11.15 am: Suicide Awareness Training Pathway for Clergy

  • Overview

  • Training needs/audit

  • Suggestions on the way forward

  • Forms provided for overall written feedback on Flourish!

1.00 pm: Close