The Martin Gallier Project, in partnership with Alfie’s Squad, is proud to deliver an all-age Suicide Bereavement Support Service across Cheshire and Merseyside, ensuring that individuals, children, young people and families affected by suicide can access timely, compassionate and specialist support when they need it most.
The Martin Gallier Project is a pioneering suicide prevention charity that delivers prevention, intervention and postvention services across the North West. Through its first-of-its-kind suicide intervention model, the charity provides immediate access to non-clinical support for individuals aged 16 and over who have been impacted by suicide, with no waiting lists, no criteria and no barriers to access. The charity’s mission is to prevent suicide, break down stigma and support families.
Alfie’s Squad is a specialist charity providing peer support for children, young people and their families who have been bereaved by suicide. Founded following the loss of Alfie’s dad to suicide, the charity creates safe, welcoming spaces where children and young people can connect with others who understand their experiences, helping to reduce isolation, build confidence and improve self-worth. Taking a whole-family approach, parents and carers also have access to a dedicated support group, ensuring no family has to navigate their loss alone.
Through this partnership, The Martin Gallier Project and Alfie’s Squad will combine the expertise, lived experience and strengths of both organisations to provide a comprehensive, person-centred service that supports people of all ages following a bereavement by suicide.
Jessica Gallier-Booth, CEO and Founder of The Martin Gallier Project, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Alfie’s Squad to deliver this vital service across Cheshire and Merseyside. Losing a loved one to suicide can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities, and it is essential that people are able to access the right support at the right time.
This partnership allows us to provide true wrap-around support for families, ensuring that children, young people and adults can access compassionate, specialist support that recognises their individual needs and experiences. By bringing together the expertise of both organisations, we can ensure that nobody affected by suicide bereavement should have to navigate that journey alone.”
Allison Furlong, CEO of Alfie’s Squad, said: “Alfie’s Squad is honoured to be working alongside The Martin Gallier Project to deliver this important service for children, young people and families affected by suicide across Cheshire and Merseyside.”
Since we launched in 2023, Alfie’s Squad families have shown us the power of bringing together people who understand. We have seen children and young people arrive feeling isolated and leave knowing they are not alone. Being able to bring that experience into this partnership is something we are incredibly proud of, knowing we can provide compassionate and timely support to helps families following a devastating loss.”
The service will launch on 1 August 2026, providing specialist support for children, young people, adults and families bereaved by suicide across Cheshire and Merseyside.
The service has been funded by the NHS and commissioned by the Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public and Population Health. Lead Director of Public Health for Suicide Prevention and Director of Public Health in Sefton, Dr Rory McGill said: “We are delighted to be working with The Martin Gallier Project and Alfie’s Squad to deliver our suicide bereavement support service across Cheshire and Merseyside.
“At such a difficult time, access to timely, compassionate and specialist support can make a significant difference to a person’s ability to cope and begin to rebuild their lives.”
Both organisations bring a wealth of expertise, experience and understanding to this work, and together they will provide high-quality emotional and practical support for people of all ages affected by suicide. We want everyone impacted by suicide to know that help is available when they need it most.”
