Residents take part in suicide prevention day with Major Works partner

Southwark residents were invited to take part in a powerful event raising awareness around suicide, supported by L&Q’s Major Works Investment Programme.

The event was organised by one of L&Q’s delivery partners, WPS, and their nominated charity partner PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Around 40 residents, members of community groups, and inspiring guest speakers joined the session, which was held at the Lewington Community Centre on 10 October, to mark World Mental Health Day.

PAPYRUS opened with an impactful introduction, sharing sobering statistics about how the charity supports those affected. Residents engaged in workshops, shared personal stories and suggested ideas for local support.

The Black Men’s Consortium, which is a user-led creative arts and health project for men of colour, delivered an engaging session that truly resonated with those at the event. 

After that, Samaritans Greenwich, Lewisham & Southwark, shared insights into their vital services, including numbers which highlighted how important they are.

Finally, Ndukauba Project gave an overview on the Jollof Nights programme they run, which aims to improve the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of African and Caribbean men, through culturally relevant peer support.

Other organisations, including Parent Skills 2 Go, Lewisham, Rastafari Movement UK, Well Being and Croydon BME Forum, Croydon and Lewisham IAGS, and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, also had stalls to share information with residents.

The day ended with a calming Tai Chi session, by Daolu.

As a follow-up, WPS is funding CPD-accredited suicide prevention training for a limited number of residents who attended and expressed interest. This will be delivered by PAPYRUS, and will equip participants to reduce the immediate risk of suicide and provide meaningful support.

The event was hosted as part of L&Q’s Social Value agreement with WPS.

Social value was built into the procurement process of the MWIP and is measured using a recognised framework and delivered through clear commitments by each partner.

Working with its partners, L&Q has generated £74.9m in social value, created more than 337 jobs, supported numerous community projects and funded five university scholarships for residents.

Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, said:

“It’s brilliant to see the community come together to support such an important cause.

“The wellbeing of residents is hugely important to us, and mental health is a fundamental part of this.

“We’re grateful to WPS for organising this event and for agreeing to fund some extra training, going forward.

“This is a great example of how our partnership with suppliers can foster community cohesion in the neighbourhoods we serve.

Paul Kemp, Division Director of Planned Maintenance said:

“This event was a powerful reminder of the strength and compassion within our communities. By bringing together residents, local organisations, and expert voices, we were able to shine a light on the importance of suicide prevention and mental wellbeing.

“It’s inspiring to see how our WPS colleagues and partners are helping to create spaces for open dialogue, support and lasting impact. We’re proud to be part of a programme that not only improves homes but also invests in the lives and wellbeing of our customers.”