Goodwill in Action
to Prevent Suicide CIO

Registered Charity Number: 1190754

Our Mission

Is to provide a peaceful, safe, ecological, sustainable, accessible respite centre within a rural environment in Devon to support persons with thoughts of suicide or who are affected by suicide through the provision of therapeutic non-medical, short-term accommodation and befriending services.

You can help us to achieve our mission by donating today towards our fundraising target of £1.5 million to secure the acquisition of the property which we will call Goodwill Lodge. Further to this, we are looking to raise another £1.5 million which will cover all costs relating to the development of the respite centre in readiness to receive its first guests in Spring 2024 if not before.

Create a respite sanctuary to rehabilitate and heal

The buildings and the land as a whole will be biodynamic, regenerative and as carbon-neutral as possible, allowing both residents and staff to live in a reciprocally beneficial and healing relationship with nature.

Build on the proven success of other similar projects

Guests will be supported by an experienced team. Being one of the only projects of its kind in the South West, it will draw on the wealth of knowledge already in existence with other similar projects in the UK.

Foster positive relationships within the local community

We want our connections to move beyond our therapeutic community. Our intention is to integrate with the surrounding community and to gain its full support.

Your donation today will help us to secure "Goodwill Lodge"

Please donate today to help us launch this vital, lifesaving project

Your donation will help us secure the funds to acquire Goodwill Lodge and take the project on to further stages of development. Donating couldn't be easier—just use the form here to donate a one-off or recurring payment using Donorbox.

Please choose whether you wish to make a one-time donation or a recurring, monthly donation. For larger donations (e.g. £500+) please make sure to use the BACS option later in the process in the form as this reduces the fees the charity would have to pay otherwise. Thank you.

Please share this page with your friends, family, colleagues and across your social media accounts to help us secure this funding 🙏🏻

NOTE: If we are unable to proceed with Goodwill Lodge for planning or other reasons, we still intend to pursue the same vision in an alternative location. If this happens, we will be in touch with you personally to gain your support for any alternative version of the project.

For more information you can also visit the dedicated fundraiser page on Donorbox:

Visit the Fundraiser Page

Why we must act

For suicides registered in 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) in England was 10.0 deaths per 100,000 population (equates to 4,912 registered deaths) and in Wales, there were 10.3 deaths per 100,000 population (equates to 285 registered deaths) creating a total of 5,197 registered suicides.

By preventing just 2 suicides, this mission will save £3.34 million in terms of costs to the economy & ecology as well as the broader community. This figure is not even the total amount we are looking to raise in our current fundraising campaign.

More importantly, we acknowledge that death by suicide has more than a financial cost as it often leaves a chasm in the hearts of those bereaved by suicide.

Office for National Statistics - Rates of Suicide in England & Wales as of 2020

Link to source

5,197

Suicides in England & Wales (2020)

Cost of each suicide = £1.67 million

Estimated Government Cost: £8.7 Billion

Our Aims

We will commission ideas and services in addition to forming connections with people and organisations which support our vision of a world freer from suicide and its causes.

We aim to run a biodynamic farm enterprise and harmonise with the natural landscape.

We will run workshops, training courses and share resources.

We will host outdoor community experiences and support and work with the local community.

We will develop environmentally friendly, ecological accommodation.

We will run an onsite healing and meditation centre.

The Centre

Goodwill Lodge will be located within a rural, biodynamic and organic small holding

Accommodation will initially provide 4-6 rooms for guests, expanding in later stages.

Large communal studio space will be available for group activities and community events and workshops.

Outside spaces will provide an opportunity for guests to contribute to the day to day running of Goodwill Lodge, or simply to find peace and solace in the natural environment.

Office space will enable the running of the project and its management.

Outside space will additionally be used for glamping-style accommodation as well as animal husbandry & food cultivation.
‍

Goodwill Lodge Masterplan

The First Phase consists of extending the existing 4-bed house, altering the large workshop rooms, creating a new, general purpose barn to replace the old one which is beyond repair, as well as many other changes to create the respite centre and its supportive surroundings.

Download PDF

Meet the Team

If you would like to join our team as a trustee, volunteer, befriender or fundraiser, or help us to run the project then please use the contact form below the trustees' photos to get in touch.