Aim  One - This is directly linked to Shaun's experience

Our primary aim is to raise awareness about the risk of suicide when cocaine and alcohol are taken together. The timing of suicide following cocaine and alcohol use, is unpredictable. More research is needed to ascertain the pattern of use, the volume of use and why without warning, an individual has the overwhelming impulsive need to complete suicide.

The typical suicide decedent related to cocaine and alcohol use will be a male, aged between 24 and 45 years of age, probably employed. They are likely to have had no underlying risk factors for suicide and no previous attempts.

The most common pattern is an unexpected, one-off violent and lethal act that results in death.

Aim  Two -  Grief and Trauma Support

When Shaun left so suddenly, without warning and in a way that none of us could understand, it impacted family and friends and the wider network of people whose lives he had touched.  We witnessed a gap in service provision for people who were struggling so much and some who needed mental health crisis support and the system failed them.

We will conduct research to identify gaps in service provision and unmet needs in Rossendale and surrounding areas and then through partnership working, look to raise the profile on those gaps.

We are also advocating for individuals who are attempting to navigate support services as a result of grief and trauma, using our voice to promote ease of access.

Aim Three - Peer support for health and wellbeing

Five of our trustees are close friends of Shaun, they are passionate and active in creating fun and healthy community events to provide opportunities for anyone to get involved.

Community is important, we all need support and social situations that lift us and make us smile, so our peer support network is a valuable part of the change we want to bring.