Speakers
Presentation
Step by Step is a Samaritans service that provides practical support to help organisations prepare for and recover from a suspected or attempted suicide. The service was started in 2010 as a response to the Bridgend tragedies. It’s available to schools, colleges and universities. The service is for staff, not students, and offers guidance and support in three key areas:
Step by Step is unique. There is no other organisation that offers all these services. Join this session to find out more.
Geoff began his career in education and spent 38 years teaching in South London, Cambridgeshire and Devon, followed by work with school governing bodies. Alongside this, he has been a Samaritan listening volunteer for more than 20 years, equating to well over 4,000 hours spent on the helpline. Since 2015, Geoff has been with the specialist Step by Step service where his role is to co-ordinate and develop their work and partnerships with HEIs.
The Samaritans Step by Step service has been involved with a considerable number of universities and has offered guidance and advice on a wide range of issues around suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. They have also been involved in External Advisory Groups, where their contributions have been valued for bringing an independent and external view based on research and on a wide experience of good practice across the sector.
Geoff was also involved in researching and writing the Universities UK document ‘How to Respond to a Student Suicide.’
Come and find out more about this unique service!