Maytree Information

Maytree was set up to meet a need amongst those at immediate risk of suicide for brief respite and an opportunity to be heard with compassion and warmth in a non-clinical environment. The aim is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and enable the suicidal to re-engage with life with more autonomy. Maytree is a sanctuary where those in crisis can stay for a few nights to reflect and be befriended. It fills a gap in services, receiving referrals from statutory, private and voluntary sectors, as well as self-referrals. Since opening in 2002, we have been there for over 4,500 people in suicidal crisis. More than 750 of these have come to stay, the rest supported through their crisis via phone and email. 50% of our ‘guests’ have not been in contact with mental health services, showing that Maytree helps some of the most hard to reach. Maytree can take up to four guests at any time for a one-off stay of four nights. It is staffed around the clock by a small staff team and pool of 90 dedicated volunteer befrienders. A 2006 independent evaluation by the Centre for Social Work Research at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust strongly supported Maytree's approach. A 2009 follow up report showed these outcomes upheld despite big increases in the numbers of people supported each year. Maytree is given as an example of good practice in the Adult Mental Health Acute Services (crisis beds) section of the 2009, 10-year government strategy New Horizons.