Here to Help, SJOG’s suicide prevention programme for people with autism, has been recognised as one of Europe’s leading innovation projects.  At the Caritas European Innovation Festival held on Friday, 14 February, Here to Help was selected as a Caritas Laureate Programme, affirming its significant impact and effectiveness.

The festival showcased 42 pioneering initiatives from across Europe and beyond highlighting innovative solutions to social challenges.

Since its launch last summer, Here to Help has positively impacted over 19,000 people, with more than 950 professionals receiving autism-specific training.  The project’s web platform has also seen remarkable engagement, recording over 70,000 interactions to date.

Ashley Wilson, Head of Quality and Service Development at SJOG presented the project at the festival, and an accompanying video was played highlighting the project’s aims and impacts on helping to reduce the prevalence of suicide amongst autistic people and those who support autistic people.

February 2025

SJOG has recently collaborated with Sleep Action, the UK’s oldest sleep charity and a leading provider of sleep support, training and resources, to produce a range of resources specifically for autistic people.

This collaboration was initiated in response to requests from parents of autistic children who we support through our Here to Help project, and have identified sleep as a priority area.

Together we have created a series of fact sheets, including general guidance on good sleep practices, as well as tailored advice on sleep for autistic adults and teens, parents of autistic children, parents of autistic teens, and the wider family unit.

SJOG's Autism and Suicide Prevention service manager, Rachael, has been working with Sleep Action to develop these resources.  "We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Sleep Action on something that will make a real difference. The feedback we've received clearly shows that these resources are much needed, and we’re excited to share them with people."

You can access these resources on our Here to Help platform here:  https://here2help.uk/help-someone-else/

January 2025
 

Fairfields in Stockton has welcomed its new residents – five people who have a diagnosis of autism and associated complex conditions, and who require 24-hour care and support.

An extensive refurbishment has transformed the property to provide innovative space, a capable environment and SMART technology to enhance daily living.

The service, staffed by a team of highly skilled autism practitioners, specialises in practising an Autism Practice Quality of Life Model that encompasses the principles and practices of positive behaviour support.  A person-centred profile for each person is developed so that we can adapt environments to people’s unique needs.  This approach enables residents to achieve their personal goals and to be as independent as possible.

The opening of Fairfields will provide a model going forward for SJOG to provide more specialised support for people with autism and meet more need.

Best wishes are extended to the service, its team and the new residents as they settle into their home.
 

December 2024

SJOG’s Here to Help team has recently delivered online training to over 900 Samaritans listening volunteers, aimed at helping them better understand and communicate with neurodivergent callers.

The training focussed on effective communication strategies for autistic callers and connects to the essential services offered by Samaritans.

Research suggests that autistic individuals are seven times more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic individuals.

Some general factors influencing suicidality in the wider population, such as loneliness, feeling burdensome, and difficulties in expressing emotions, also affect autistic people.  However, there are additional, specific risk factors for suicidality among autistic individuals, including black-and-white thinking, social camouflaging, and challenges with emotional recognition.

Vanessa Hamilton, Assistant Director of Learning & Development, Samaritans said, “This was an excellent, informative and sensitively delivered webinar that gave great insights and practical tips on how Samaritans listening volunteers can better support our autistic callers.”

We are proud to support the Samaritans in delivering their vital services through our training.

To learn more about Here to Help, visit our platform: www.sjogheretohelp.uk

November 2024
 

Trustees' Week is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK, and to honour their commitment and expertise which are vital to guiding organisations and making a lasting impact in the communities they exist to serve.

Trustees’ Week also provides a chance to connect, share experiences, and learn about becoming a trustee.  Whether as an existing trustee or interested in becoming one, Trustees’ Week offers events, training sessions, and guidance to help people develop their skills and deepen their understanding of the role. To find out more, click following the link: Trustees Week – Showcasing the work of charity trustees

At SJOG we thank Emma, Duncan, Lesley, Emma, Jack, Claire, Malachy, Abigail, Melanie, Mark, and soon to join us – Steve, for their commitment and huge range of skills and expertise they bring to SJOG.  And thank you to all the trustees who have previously served as trustees on our board.

https://sjog.uk/people.php

Follow us this week on social media to learn more: www.facebook.com/SJOGUK   https://www.linkedin.com/company/saint-john-of-god-hospitaller-services 

#TrusteesWeek

November 2024
 

Anti-slavery day takes places every year on 18th October and is a time to encourage governments, businesses, colleagues, family and friends to do what they can to prevent human trafficking and protect victims of modern slavery.  An estimated 40 million people are in modern slavery throughout the world and an estimated 122,000 people in the UK.

What is Human Trafficking?
The UN defined human trafficking in the Palermo Protocol as the ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat, or use of force, coercion or deception…to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation’ . According to this definition, trafficking includes sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labour, domestic servitude, any form of slavery and removal of organs.

What are we doing at SJOG?
At SJOG we talk a lot about modern day slavery and human trafficking. We are the largest provider in the UK of safe houses that support people who have been subject to modern day slavery and human trafficking, as well as supporting many people through our outreach services in both London and the North-West. 

We invest in educating our colleagues, and all the people we come into contact with about slavery at human trafficking.  This included a session at our annual conference held on 16 October in the presence of over 100 colleagues, highlighting how we might spot the signs of modern slavery in terms of a person’s appearance, their behaviour and restricted movement.

We are also working with other organisations working in this area to lobby the UK government on the changes we would like to see in the way people have been subject to modern slavery or trafficking are supported.

“Together, we can break the chains of human trafficking and build a more just and equitable future for all.”

Read more at www.sjog1810.uk

#AntiSlaveryDay2024

October 2024