A new community support group called Turning Point NI has opened in Ballymena. Based on Mill Street just opposite the town hall its aim is to deliver confidential support to those in the community who are feeling suicidal.
We called in with the guys and asked why Turning Point NI has opened in Ballymena. – “We realise many individuals and families are living with mental illness, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns and substance misuse and one of the effects of this can be suicidal tendancies. Everyone is aware of the ever increasing number of suicides and attempted suicides. We wanted to open a centre in the town where people living with this could go for guidance and support. A place where properly trained volunteers could listen and offer advice. Although we are based in Ballymena we’re offering this to people right across Northern Ireland. We don’t want people to give up, but take the first step towards a better life – and quite often that starts by talking through the issues. We want to let people know they are not alone but that we are here to offer support on a 1-to-1 basis.”
If this is something you are living with at the minute or you know someone who might benefit from the support Turning Point NI in Ballymena can offer, there are many ways you can get in touch with the team. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10.00am – 4.30pm & Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm and you can simply walk in at 1 Mill Street, Ballymena BT43 5AA and say you would like to talk in confidence to someone. You can also phone 07935 255502 or email turningpointni@outlook.com
Turning Point NI needs your support.
Maybe you have an interest in helping people? You’re a good listener? Turning Point NI would love to hear from you if you have a couple of free hours each week to become a volunteer in the centre. Don’t have any experience of dealing with these sorts of issues? A caring and compassionate nature is all that’s needed – you will be trained to give the right advice and support. You can also donate to this really worthwhile work by going to their website here and going to the Donation Page where you can give safely via Paypal.
