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BHCT patrols the notorious suicide spot of Beachy Head reaching out to the depressed and suicidal. As well as the Frontline Team which operates regular patrols BHCT run an On-call Team which responds to emergencies on Beachy Head 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The team consists of 12 Frontline team members, 4 of which also operate the On-call Team and an Aftercare team of 6. Team members come from a wide variety of local Churches.The teams operate closely with the Emergency services of Sussex, often working with Sussex Police and HM Coastguard on many of the incidents at Beachy Head.The team is funded by voluntary contributions alone and is supported by local churches, ministries, businesses and individuals as well as by our Monthly Partners.
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The Frontline team consists, at present, of 12 members. The team’s primary role is to operate the evening patrols, where they work in a marked patrol vehicle, in pairs, every night of the year. They work as an intervention team, reaching out to the depressed and suicidal. The team is made up of Christians from local churches in East Sussex
The team patrols from the main car park at Beachy Head to Birling Gap car park. An evening duty consists of foot patrols and regular vehicle patrols. During the hours of darkness, the team uses search lights to search the cliff area. They are watching for persons who cause concern on the cliff edge, in the area and in vehicles. They are also informed by mobile phone of suicidal missing persons via Sussex Police, of people causing concern by HM Coastguard, the pubs at Beachy Head and Birling Gap, BH Countryside centre and of course are approached by members of the public.
If you're an All Saints regular you'll know some of these guys! Please pray for them all.
The On-call team has been operating since August 2005 and is made up of the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader and two members of the Frontline Team. The team is available 24 hours a day to attend Beachy Head when there is a concern that someone who has gone missing is suicidal or when a person is seen acting suspiciously. The majority of the call outs originate from Sussex Police who inform the On-call team by mobile (forwarded when the Frontline team is not on duty). The team attend Beachy Head and perform a search often in conjunction with the Police and HM Coastguard. Among the teams advantage is its knowledge of the area, its search equipment and of course its experience in dealing with the suicidal, especially on the cliff edge. Also on a normal call out once a Police unit has performed a sweep of the area they are free to attend other jobs whilst the On-call team can if necessary remain on BH for a number of hours. The team has also been called out to other incidents in the Eastbourne area of persons threatening suicide.
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2006 proved to be a successful year for BHCT and all those seeking to save lives at Beachy Head. The suicide rate overall for the area covered by the team, has fallen by over 65%. In the main Beachy Head area the decrease in suicides is even greater at 74%. In that area there were 7 deaths in 2006 compaired to 27 in 2005. It is important for us to note however that every suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who have died.
2006 has seen Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team involved in 459 incidents / searches for those in destress. From those incidents and searches the team have dealt with and helped 134 people who were depressed or suicidal.
December was a busy month for the team after a rather quiet November. During the month the team were involved in 38 incidents / searches for those in need and dealt with and helped 18 people who were depressed and suicidal. This includes 2 searches on Christmas day. One in the morning and one in the evening whilst the team were on patrol. We were also involved in 1 incident where BHCT was involved in the search but the person was found and dealt with only by the Police.
As from 1st January 2007, BHCT has begun regular daytime patrols in addition to the regular nightly patrols and 24hr On-call team. We expect the amount of patrol hours to increase by aproximately 40 -50 hours a week over 2006, by summer of 2007. We also have 6 new volunteers beginning their training in January. We also are in the process of expanding our services into a couple of new areas that have been on our hearts for some time, and which we have been praying about in recent months.
The Shiloh Centre, home of the Chaplaincy is based at Wish Hill, Willingdon, in the old Methodist Church, built in 1894.
When the team have reached someone in despair on Beachy Head we want to continue helping them as long as they need us and we provide listening and counselling by a trained team in suicide intervention, Acorn Christian listening and Christian counselling. We also provide an Advice and Referral service to deal with varied practical issues i.e. debt, housing etc. The Advice and Referral service is run by Mrs. Janet Swaddling who is trained, especially in debt counselling, financial problems being one of the biggest issues facing those we meet on Beachy Head.
OPENING HOURS
The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10.00am -12 noon. Our vision is to expand these hours as more volunteers join us. The team is also available outside of these hours and there is someone on call 24hrs to organise the aftercare. On Tuesday mornings we hold a coffee morning 10.30 – 12.00 noon where we sell cards and various items.
From FACING DEATH on a cliff edge in the dark and cold TO FACING LIFE in all its fullness in the warmth of God’s love and embrace. Through love, compassion, empathy, a listening ear, guidance, companionship and practical help. This is God’s call to us and our life long aim.
Sr.Trish Bedwell
Deputy Team Leader / Manager Shiloh Centre
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Beachy Head Chaplaincy is funded solely by voluntary contributions. We need your help to save lives. Your donations make a big difference. At this time the team cost aproximately £2700 per month to run. We are in the process of increasing our cover from our existing nightly patrols and 24hour On-call team, into regular daytime patrols. This expansion is beginning in January 2007. Our aim for weekday daytimes is to take on full-time paid workers to provide the cover. Their work will include patrols, aftercare and preventative work. Weekends will be covered by volunteers as the evenings are. We expect this expansion to continue throughout 2007.
Your donations help us to reach more people and save more lives. If you are able, please contact our offices on 01323504422, or write to Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team, 80 Wish Hill, Eastbourne. East Sussex. BN20 9HA. Cheques made payable to Beachy Head Chaplaincy.
Thanks for your support!!!
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