ROC Angels - Street Angels, Festival Angels, Club Angels, Community Angels and more

First anniversary for Plymouth City Pastors

1/3/2026

Download Newsletter as a PDF

Street Angels win 2 awards

12/23/2025

SME News: Most Inspirational Community Safety Initiative 2025 and Social Impact & Volunteer Excellence Award 2025

SME News is proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Northern Enterprise Awards.

For the seventh year now, the Northern Enterprise Awards reminds us of the sheer dedication, commitment, and brilliance sweeping across the North of the UK.

Helping and supporting their clients and customers every step of the way, the winners within this year’s instalment not only have so much to offer, but they continue to deliver. From educational support to financial services, home improvements to residential care, fragrance compounding success to dog training, and an incredible assortment more, this instalment is truly diverse and special.

Awards Coordinator Melissa Bramall shared her thoughts on the success of the 2025 winners: “The past 12-24 months have been filled with ups and downs, opportunities and challenges, and the peaks and troughs that come with business no matter what industry you’re in, but our awardees continue to stand tall! Whether they’re taking their first steps or whether they’re a longstanding and seasoned enterprise, our winners are all making waves for those around them. It’s a pleasure to be part of your story of success!”

To find out more about these prestigious awards, and the dedicated enterprises that have been selected for them, please visit https://smenews.digital/awards/northern-enterprise-awards/ where you can view our winners supplement and full winners list.

Merry Christmas and latest news from ROC Angels

12/17/2025

Click here to read the Christmas newsletter

Hope, Connection and Eight Minutes That Can Save a Life

12/4/2025

By Mick Rowe, Founder of Suicide Sucks CIC

Who am I?

Hi, I’m Mick, the founder of Suicide Sucks CIC.

I’m a mother, a wife, and I have two children and Ozzy the dog, who genuinely believes he is king of the family (because he is!) I started Suicide Sucks because I care deeply about people who are struggling and I believe that when we talk honestly, we save lives.

What Is Suicide Sucks CIC

Suicide Sucks CIC is a suicide awareness and prevention community organisation. At the heart of what we do is the Suicide Sucks Podcast, where I interview people who have made attempts on their life but are still here to tell the tale.

We record the podcast in my campervan, which creates a calm, safe and comforting environment for honest conversation. Ozzy is always there, offering cuddles and lightening the mood while we sit with a cup of tea and talk through the darkest and brightest parts of my guests’ journeys.

Although the topics are heavy, the podcast is never doom and gloom. We laugh together, we share real moments, and more often than not the ice cream van pulls up outside and starts playing its cheerful tune at exactly the wrong (or right) time. It reminds us that even in difficult conversations, joy finds a way in.

Every guest is passionate about sharing their story. They want listeners to hear something that resonates, something that gives hope, and something that reminds them they are not alone. The podcast is all about how people survived the worst days of their life and what helped them reach a place where they are truly glad to still be here.

Why I Set Up Suicide Sucks

I created Suicide Sucks in March 2024 after losing my brother to suicide in 1996. It took me almost 25 years to truly process that loss. There was anger, guilt, confusion and a lot of unanswered questions.

What I realised over time is that healing begins when you connect with others who have walked a similar path. When you talk to someone who understands the thoughts, the pain, the confusion and the silence, you start to feel less alone. Suicide Sucks is built on creating those connections, because connection saves lives.

What Else We Do

Vent and Vibe on TikTok - most Fridays from 10am until 11am we run Vent and Vibe, a live TikTok session where anyone can join to talk openly about tough thoughts, low moments or anything weighing heavy on their mind. It is a safe, judgment-free hour where people can simply be heard.

Bereavement Support - we run a support group for people who have been bereaved. It is a gentle space where individuals can talk, listen and share with others who truly understand their experience.

Wellbeing Sessions - we offer a range of wellbeing sessions because reconnecting with your body, your feelings and the world around you makes a huge difference. These include silent disco exercise classes, which harness the power of movement and music, and reconnect with nature sessions that help people feel grounded and calmer.

Our Current Campaign: "Have You Got Eight Minutes Mate?"

This campaign is simple but powerful.

Have you got eight minutes, mate? is code for I don’t want to be here anymore; a concept I came across by Simon Sinek.

We are encouraging everyone to choose an eight minutes mate. Someone you can message during your darkest moment with those exact words. It cannot be misunderstood. It is a clear call for help.

When someone receives that message, they call immediately and stay on the phone for as long as needed, usually up to an hour. You don't try and fix or provide a solution, you just listen. In that time, they might help someone move from I don’t want to be here to Alright, I’ll stay another day.

That extra day can save a life.

That small moment of connection can pull someone out of a temporary state of mind and prevent a permanent decision.

Support the campaign here:

Crowdfunder: Search for Have You Got Eight Minutes Mate on Crowdfunder or use this link: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/1n72MvGW

What else is coming up?

Stand up to Suicide Comedy night at Broad Close Farm, Silkstone, Barnsley - 20th March 2026

Voices of Hope audio/visual experience Penistone St. John's Church March (date tbc) 2026

How You Can Help

Share What We Do - Tell people about the podcast. Share it online. Send it to someone who might need to hear real, raw stories of survival and hope.

Signpost Those Who Are Struggling - Our podcast features a wide range of lived experiences, from young women in their twenties dealing with eating disorders to people in their seventies overcoming addiction. Someone out there will hear their own story in ours.

Support Our Crowdfunder - Every donation helps us keep producing episodes, running sessions and creating safe spaces for honest conversations.

Follow Us:

Facebook: facebook.com/share/1BruQ9WV5C/
Website: suicidesucks.co.uk
TikTok: tiktok.com/@suicidesuck5