Hammersmith and Fulham's suicide prevention service, The Listening Place, has seen a significant surge in referrals, with over 2,000 local residents seeking support by August 2026.
The service, which offers free, confidential, face-to-face support to adults experiencing suicidal feelings, has experienced a 150% increase in referrals since opening its Hammersmith and Fulham centre in April 2022. This surge is attributed to the centre's improved local accessibility and its integration within the borough's support systems, leading to approximately 50 referrals per month compared to seven before the centre opened. The Listening Place complements NHS services by providing a non-judgemental space for individuals who may be waiting for treatment or find it difficult to engage with formal clinical models.
During the 2025-26 financial year, The Listening Place received 544 referrals from Hammersmith and Fulham residents, exceeding its target of 460. Of those referred, 427 engaged with the service, representing an engagement rate of 78%. The service also trained 100 new volunteers for its Hammersmith centre.
Referrals come from over 50 organisations, including talking therapies, GPs, MINT teams, crisis services, and drug and alcohol services, as well as direct self-referrals, supporting the council's 'no wrong door' suicide prevention strategy.
Demographic Breakdown and Accessibility
Beyond the mention of men representing under 40% of users, which is considered higher than in other services, the demographic breakdown for The Listening Place referrals includes: 45% of residents supported were aged under 35, and 25% were aged 50 or over. Of those whose ethnicity was known, 52% were from global majority communities, and 18% of those with known sexual orientation information identified as LGBTQ+.
Targeted work is being done to reach men through campaigns, events, and partnerships with organisations like Andy's Man Club and local football clubs.
For users who do not speak English as a first language, The Listening Place utilises a 'language line' service for support. Additionally, volunteers come from a range of different backgrounds and can potentially be matched with individuals to provide support in a way that is beneficial.
Service Delivery and Outcomes
Referrals to The Listening Place are contacted within 24 hours and offered a first appointment within one week. The service's outcome measures show a decrease in suicidality by 34% and distress by 24% after three months, with an increase in feelings of support by 39% across the wider visitor population. For Hammersmith and Fulham residents specifically who completed sessions, 60% reported a reduction in suicide risk.
Feedback from users of the service has been overwhelmingly positive. Across the wider visitor population, 99% rated the service as fairly good or very good, 98% described it as a safe place, and 97% felt able to discuss their suicidal feelings openly.
The service is also extending its reach by delivering suicide prevention training to local professionals, with 19 sessions delivered to over 135 professionals in 2025-26, who reported increased confidence in initiating supportive conversations.
Emergency Protocols and Future Funding
Councillors at the Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee meeting on Monday 2 November 2026, where the report was presented, raised questions about emergency escalation protocols. The Listening Place has established connections with other services, including single point of access, emergency services via 999, and West London services, ensuring a robust referral process for situations where a client's risk level increases. While specific audit details were not provided, it is understood that an audit process exists within the service and could be reviewed.
The council's current funding arrangement for The Listening Place runs for two years, from August 2025 to July 2027, funded through the Public Health Ring Fence Grant. The council will continue to monitor the service's delivery, focusing on prompt access, strong engagement, and improving borough-specific outcome reporting.
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