Clare

Founder/CEO

Meet Clare, wife and a mum to two wonderful neurodiverse children, plus two cats and a very bouncy puppy! Clare set up Hope Against Suicide because of her own past experiences of trauma, resulting in feelings of hopelessness; as well as the tragedy of losing a childhood friend to suicide; many past experiences have made Clare determined to help those who have lost hope to rediscover it. You may see Clare out in the community as part of the Mental Health Responder team.

Whilst working as a health advisor there were two types of calls we dreaded coming through…mental health difficulties and tooth pain! Why? Because we knew that there wouldn’t be a pathway outcome good enough for what was immediately needed, and yet we so desperately wanted to help stop the pain.

It isn’t okay that so many people feel alone and isolated, not knowing who to turn to, and it isn’t okay that once speaking to the right person, the wait for someone to further listen could be around 18 months. Nobody wants this. We wouldn’t expect to wait this long with a physical injury like an infection, and we shouldn’t have to wait this long for an open mental wound to be treated either. Where does a person go in this time? Who’s willing to listen? Our mobile listening service, which is free, and confidential is set up to do exactly that. To say we care, and we want to support you because you matter, and you really do.

Hope Against Suicide is my greatest passion, and I feel incredibly privileged to help shape its direction alongside our amazing volunteers. I really enjoy speaking with people, hearing their stories, finding out about them.

Fun fact about me: I was once mistaken for someone without an eye… all because I was described as “Clare without the I” (meaning the spelling of my name!) I also once met Blazing Squad! For those old enough to know who they are!