Beachy Head Prayer Group

The Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team is now set up as a trust, and they have appealed to members of many churches in Sussex to help in any way they can.

At St Nicholas we have set up a prayer group, which currently consists of 27 members, who have agreed to use the published monthly updates as a basis for regular prayer, and this work is regularly included in intercessions during church services.

Beachy Head

For a long time now, Beachy Head has been notorious for people from all over the country who, tragically feel they have nothing to live for. Many of them desperately try to take the ultimate step of committing suicide by jumping or driving off the cliffs. The emergency services consisting of police, coast guards, ambulance personnel, and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) then swing into action to do whatever they can to save the victim.

In August 2004, after more than a year of prayer and planning, a team of six specially trained volunteers from different churches in Sussex began patrolling the cliffs, every evening to speak with vulnerable people and try to dissuade them from taking this ultimate step. This team was backed up by an after care service and a team of intercessors.

By August 2005 the work had expanded to include a 24 hours ‘On Call’ team, which mainly responds to calls from Sussex Police with whom they work closely. Since then the service has grown further and now consists of a ‘frontline team’ of 15, so that patrols can be effective 24 hours a day. A hut on the cliff top where immediate refuge and counselling are offered; a ‘safe house’ at Willingdon for future after care where necessary; plus the inevitable office for administration.

In January 2009 a new patrol vehicle began operation on Beachy Head, and in its first year clocked up about 15,000 miles! This is a Honda CRV, with four wheel drive, and fitted with specialist search equipment.

Volunteers

The team is of course still looking for volunteers willing to train you in the various roles, and they are also trusting their supporters to help with their finances – it currently costs about £1,000 each week for the work to remain operational.

Tragically there are still people who success in committing suicide on Beachy Head, but the number has greatly reduced over the last few years, which is large measure because of the dedication of all involved in BHCT.

Contact

For more information and to make a donation contact Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team on 01323 504422.

If you would like to be a part of the St Nicholas Beachy Head Prayer Group contact Clare Riches on 01273 304570.