About

 

Sarah's Sanctuary is a bereavement support group based in the Isle of Lewis for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It was founded by Kenny MacDonald in memory of his daughter Sarah. Before he lost his daughter, Kenny had been involved in fundraising for Beautiful Inside & Out, an Ayrshire-based charity set up by Pauline Moriarty who lost her teenage daughter to suicide. Beautiful Inside Out provides suicide bereavement support and support to those with mental illness as well as being engaged in anti-bullying and suicide prevention work. Because of this association, Sarah’s Sanctuary was set up as a branch of Beautiful Inside & Out SC044868. Before Sarah’s Sanctuary was set up, the closest suicide bereavement support group was in Elgin on mainland Scotland.

Sarah’s Sanctuary meets in the Western Isles Family and Mediation Support Centre on Bank Street, Stornoway. We meet on a monthly basis with breaks for the summer holidays. At each meeting, we have had the support of a qualified counsellor in order to create a safe space for all participants. Currently Catherine Barron, a counsellor with the Western Isles Family and Mediation Support Service,is present at meetings to support the mental health of those involved, suggest methods to help the grieving process and remind participants about confidentiality.

Sarah's Sanctuary is open to anyone affected by suicide bereavement. For information about meetings go to our Facebook page. You can get in touch with us by filling out the contact form in the top left corner of the home page. 

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