Nigel McGrath, Clanmil; Renee Quinn, PIPS; Carol McTaggart, Clanmil; Lisa Abell-Farrelly, PIPS. 

Partnership will raise vital funds and awareness for suicide prevention, mental health and emotional wellbeing across Northern Ireland

Clanmil is delighted to announce PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity as its charity partner for the year, bringing together two organisations with a shared commitment to supporting people and strengthening communities across Northern Ireland.

Throughout the partnership, Clanmil colleagues will take part in fundraising activities and initiatives to raise vital funds and awareness for PIPS Charity, while also encouraging open and compassionate conversations around mental health, suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing.

As a housing association, Clanmil plays an important role in creating homes and communities where people can feel safe, secure and connected. The partnership with PIPS Charity provides an opportunity to complement this work by highlighting the importance of mental health support, early intervention and making sure people know where they can turn when they are struggling.

PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity provides free, confidential counselling and crisis support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental ill health or emotional distress. The charity also provides vital support to families, friends and those bereaved by suicide.

As a non-government funded charity, PIPS Charity relies on fundraising, donations and partnerships to sustain and develop its life-saving services. Clanmil’s support throughout the year will make a meaningful contribution towards ensuring these services remain free and accessible to those who need them.

Carol McTaggart, Chief Executive at Clanmil, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity and to support the vital work they do with individuals, families and communities across Northern Ireland.

At Clanmil, we know that a home is about much more than the building itself. It is about creating places where people feel safe, secure, connected and supported. That is why our partnership with PIPS Charity feels like such a natural fit with our values and our commitment to the wellbeing of our customers and communities.

We are looking forward to working with the team at PIPS charity over the coming year, getting our colleagues involved and helping to ensure more people know that they do not have to face difficult times alone.”

Renee Quinn, CEO of PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity, said:

“We are delighted that Clanmil has chosen PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity as its charity partner for the year, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone across the organisation for their support.

There is a really meaningful connection between our two organisations. A home is about much more than bricks and mortar, it is about feeling safe, secure and part of a community. Clanmil’s work is rooted in supporting people and creating strong communities, and those values align closely with our own belief that everyone should have somewhere to turn when life becomes difficult.

Suicide prevention is not something any one organisation can tackle alone. It takes charities, organisations and communities working together to raise awareness, challenge stigma and make sure people know that help is available.

Over the coming year, Clanmil’s support will help us reach more people with that message while raising vital funds to keep our counselling and crisis services free and accessible.

We’re looking forward to working with the Clanmil team and seeing colleagues across the organisation get involved. Together, we have an opportunity to make a real difference, not only through fundraising, but by starting conversations, raising awareness and helping people across our communities know that they never have to face difficult times alone.”

The partnership will also help highlight the importance of early intervention and challenge the stigma that can prevent people from seeking support. Both organisations are committed to encouraging stronger, more connected communities where people feel able to talk about their mental health and reach out for help when they need it.

Through their work together over the coming year, Clanmil and PIPS Charity hope to extend the reach of the charity’s mission of striving for a compassionate society free from suicide and ensure more people across Northern Ireland are aware that confidential support is available.