The Jac Lewis Foundation have supported over 900 individuals bereaved or affected by suicide since 2021.

Our Wales Bereavement Through Suicide Support Service is guided by the Bereavement Service Standards and has given us a wealth of experience and knowledge in supporting those that have been bereaved through suicide.

The delivery of these services has developed JLF’s knowledge and understanding of what people affected through suicide need and this has fed into how we have developed the National Advisory and Liaison service. The services we provide are people led and values based. Individuals referred into the service are asked for feedback on the services they have accessed to inform service development and delivery.

Meet the team

The Jac Lewis Foundation has team of psychological therapists that are experienced in working with those affected by suicide and include, play therapists, child and adolescent therapists, family therapists, counsellors, cognitive behaviour therapists and EMDR therapists.

All therapists are fully qualified, DBS checked and receive monthly clinical supervision.

Geraint Thomas

National Advisory and Liaison Service Co-ordinator

I worked in the Civil Service for 31 years in a wide variety of Team Leader, Specialist and Managerial roles, before choosing to join the Jac Lewis Foundation as National Advisory Liaison Service Co-ordinator in mid 2024.

I bring my current experience as a Psychology graduate, Samaritan Listener for 13 years, Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Party Leader/Welfare Officer for 6 years, Brecon Beacons National Park Warden most weekends, and as a Mountain Training Association Qualified Mountain Leader (teaching, leading groups and promoting positive mental health benefits in the UK’s Mountain ranges) in my spare time. I believe in making the most of all available time to help those disadvantaged in society and was humbled to be awarded a British Empire Medal in 2020.

I strive to support all those I encounter, whatever their circumstances, in my current role.

Deborah Owen

National Advisory and Liaison Service Administrator

I joined the NALS team from a background within NHS Primary Care, where I was Practice Secretary for a GP surgery in the Swansea Bay Cluster.

During my 12 years at the surgery, I gained invaluable insight and experience in relation to the processes and resources available and the difficulties that can impact the delivery of services to those in need of support.

I aim to help alleviate and produce accessibility and a resourceful service that is available throughout Wales.

Gwyn Augustus

National Advisory and Liaison Service Lead Officer

I have managed multiple projects for the British Red Cross and Alzheimer’s Society in Southwest Wales. I also worked as a funeral director in the Cross Hands area for over 12 years.

Most recently, I served as a Bereavement Support Officer and Post-mortem Technician with Hywel Dda Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board before transitioning to lead the NALS project.

My extensive experience has equipped me with deep insight into supporting people in times of crisis and understanding the needs of bereaved families..

How We’ve Helped

900

supported individuals affected by suicide.

800

individuals in the last twelve months who have self-referred into the service.

4,500

individuals supported since the foundation started in 2019.

Feedback

Here is just some of the feedback we’ve received from beneficiaries.

“I was rung like a bolt from the blue, it was like a guiding angel, it was a nice to speak to someone who understood.”

“Not sure if I could have functioned without the service back then.”

“The support has been a lifeline, keeping us afloat when it would have been so easy to have been submerged.”

Contact us for help

The National Advisory and Liaison Service (NALS) is a free, confidential, emotional and practical support service for anyone in Wales affected by suicide.

About Us