The OLLIE Foundation: Knowledge Gives People a Position of Strength

Content warning: the focus of this conversation is suicide prevention.

When Chris Sibley lost his 16 year old son TJ to suicide, he sought support from a charity where he was able to meet other parents, sharing the same dreadful grief. From this, Chris, along with parents Stuart Falconer and Jane Johnstone, decided to form their own charity; The OLLIE Foundation.

Our conversation shines a light on the people and work behind the scenes at grassroot charities. Chris says, "Grassroots charities live and work in the community, and have a real impact on that community".  

And when lived experience informs that work, what does that mean? What is the impact of telling your story, over and again?

"I can feel it, they're like tiny weights being put on my shoulders every time I talk about it", explains Chris.

And yet his drive continues, in memory of his son. "He was the person people would go to. His last act was helping someone else. What I do, is driven by TJ".

To find out more about The OLLIE Foundation and all the resources it offers, please visit: https://theolliefoundation.org/

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS): https://uksobs.com/

 

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This episode was recorded on Teams

Produced by Leto Blackwell

Created by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society

Website: www.ncps.com

Subtitles are auto generated

If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, or require immediate help, please call 111, contact your GP or call the Samaritans on 116 123