SALE SHARKS AND BRISTOL BEARS TO SHOWCASE ROYAL FOUNDATION’S SUICIDE PREVENTION TOOLKIT
Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears will join forces with The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales on the Gallagher PREM’s opening weekend to spotlight a new suicide prevention toolkit.
Developed by the Royal Foundation in conjunction with the British Standards Institution (BSI) and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, the ‘On Your Side’ Toolkit helps sports organisations across the UK, from grassroots to elite, to strengthen suicide prevention within sporting environments.
It aims to give people engaged in sport the confidence to spot warning signs, start conversations and connect individuals with support before a crisis occurs.
The Toolkit was launched on World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) at an event at Everton Football Club’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. It was hosted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales and attended by sporting greats including Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) OLY, Dame Laura Kenny and Jill Scott MBE.
As Maggie and Steve Lansdown CBE and Sale Sharks’ owners, Simon and Michelle Orange, are all long-standing supporters of the Royal Foundation, both clubs will use this weekend’s season opening fixture to come together to promote this game-changing new initiative.
Around the concourses and in hospitality at the CorpAcq Stadium on Saturday (26th September), fans will see Toolkit branding, information and links to the online resource. Key messages from the Toolkit will feature in the matchday programme and on both clubs’ websites and players from both teams will wear On Your Side warm-up shirts.
Michelle Orange said: “Simon and I are incredibly proud to support the Royal Foundation’s work and I hope that by the two clubs coming together on the opening matchday, we can showcase this unique, life‑saving Toolkit and spread its important message to as many people as possible.”
Steve Lansdown CBE said: “Both clubs recognise our role in promoting connection, belonging and support in our wider sporting communities. Sport can play a significant role in suicide prevention and I hope that by promoting this Toolkit it will make it easier for people to recognise warning signs and respond with confidence.”
Sharks and England fly-half George Ford said: “Whether you’re in an international dressing room or playing with friends, it’s so important we all talk and check in with teammates because you never know who could be struggling. Just starting that conversation could make all the difference and could save a life. But we all need to know what to look out for – and that’s what this Toolkit can do.”
You can find out more and download the ‘On Your Side’ Toolkit at www.hubofhope.co.uk/onyourside.
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