A CHARITY dedicated to helping people after the suicide of a loved one is looking forward to opening the doors of its new property — and hopes to draw further support for its work from Cornwall.

Alison Hill, who lives in Exmouth, founded Pete’s Dragons after her brother, Pete Wicks, took his own life in Launceston in January 2010. He was 24.

Alison said: “He was my little brother. For various reasons, a multitude of reasons, in late January 2010 he took his own life sadly in Launceston.

“Obviously we all as a family found that devastating and shocking. I particularly wanted to do something so I started Pete’s Dragons.”

Alison said when Pete’s Dragons was set up, for about three months of the year they would take part in a big challenge to raise money for various charities and organisations, including Cornwall Search and Rescue.

Alison said: “Cornwall is very well provided for in terms of specialist support. You have got an amazing service in terms of Outlook South West. We work in tandem with them.”

However, it is a different situation across the border. Alison explained: “In Devon we realised there was nothing, so we will take that role.”

It is hoped from May 1, Pete’s Dragons will set up a suicide bereavement service, to provide a listening service and practical advice as long as they are needed.

Alison added: “We are available to those people should they need it after May 1.”

Pete’s Dragons, which achieved charitable status in February 2015, is currently renovating a property in Exmouth — a three-storey town house.

The top two floors are self-contained holiday homes and the bottom floors are treatment and therapy rooms and offices.

Alison said: “It’s all been done with our own fundraising. We raised about £8,000 and started the work. We are now reliant on people giving up their time to paint.”

One of those who has given his time to help is builder Phil Cook, from Bude.

It is hoped the building in Exmouth will be open in June to offer breaks to people coping with suicide loss.

Alison said the charity has approximately three or four requests for help a month, and that the requests can be very varied.

The charity offers ‘Hugs in a Hamper’ — gifts for those whose lives have been changed by the suicide of a loved one.

Alison said many were sent out to people around Christmastime, adding: “They wouldn’t have had Christmas otherwise. People really appreciate the hampers.”

The charity also offers grants. Alison said Cornwall has seen the highest take-up rates for grants — Pete’s Dragons can give up to £300 to anyone suffering financial distress because of suicide bereavement.

This money can cover anything from funeral costs to veterinary bills, as Alison explained: “Anything that will take away any stress or strain on the family.”

The Post previously reported an Easter craft fair at Launceston Town Hall, in aid of the charity, raised more than £600.

Alison is also keen for more people in Cornwall to get involved with the charity, adding: “We are looking for regular volunteers and maybe a trustee or two so we can really have a Cornish base.

“Because we started in Cornwall and that’s where our story originates from we do get a lot of support from Cornwall, especially the Launceston area.”

“With Cornwall having one of the higher suicide rates in the country and Devon has an average rate, this year looks set to be extremely busy.”

As well as looking after those affected by suicide bereavement, Alison said the charity has an interest in preventing suicide in the first place.

The charity provides ASIST training.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is for everyone 16 or older — regardless of prior experience — who want to be able to provide suicide first aid.

Shown by major studies to significantly reduce suicidality, the ASIST model teaches effective intervention skills while helping to build suicide prevention networks in the community.

The next ASIST training course will be held at Bicton College on May 31, and June 1.

For more details of the course and how to book, visit www.petesdragons.org.uk/ASIST_Training_2548.aspx

Alison said she feels there has been a change nationally in terms of the ‘stigma’ surrounding suicide, and said they need to ‘grab that change and keep it going’: “I think we are working very hard to break down that stigma, for two reasons. The first one is so that people who are bereaved don’t feel so isolated and alone, and so people who feel suicidal would be more able to reach out for the help they need when they need it.

“It’s really sad we are needed in the first place. We are all very aware suicide is one of the biggest killers in the UK. It’s necessary to have an organisation like us.”

For more information, visit www.petesdragons.org.uk, email [email protected], like Pete’s Dragons on Facebook or follow @ThePetesDragons on Twitter.