In the rugged and beautiful landscape of Cumbria, a remarkable charity is transforming the conversation around suicide prevention, driven by personal passion and a commitment to saving lives.
Published: October 9th, 2025
5 min read
"Every single one of us has a personal reason for being here," explains Nina Porter from Every Life Matters. "We're not just working in a field. We're fighting for something deeply personal." This sentiment is the cornerstone of the organisation's approach, where every team member brings a profound connection to the cause.
The charity was founded by those directly impacted by suicide, either through personal loss or personal struggle. This creates an authenticity that sets them apart from traditional support services. "We're real people working with and for real people," Nina emphasises. "Suicide isn't a concept – it's a reality that touches lives every single day."
Cumbria faces some of the highest suicide rates in the United Kingdom, a stark reality that drives the mission for Every Life Matters. Every Life Matters has delivered more than 25,000 suicide prevention training places in Cumbria since 2020. The team has developed a nationally recognised suicide safer schools programme through which we have trained 1,750 staff and 4,300 pupils at Cumbria schools in suicide prevention skills so far. They have also developed a range of suicide prevention, self-harm and mental health resources, that have also been adopted in other areas of the country.
The ambitious vision is to become a Zero Suicide society. Currently, they're expanding their suicide safer schools program with hopes of national implementation. "Working with younger people is crucial," says Nina. "We're not just addressing the immediate crisis – we're building long-term resilience."
Innovative workplace programmes are another key focus. The charity has developed comprehensive packages for businesses, recognising the critical need for suicide prevention strategies in professional environments. These programs include prevention techniques, training, and even post-intervention support for organisations facing the unthinkable.
Nina believes "If it's not genuine, it won't make a real impact. We all live in Cumbria. We're part of this community and really care about the future."
The challenge of suicide prevention is complex. As Nina and her team acknowledge, success is often invisible – preventing a suicide means never knowing the lives truly saved. Yet they remain undeterred, driven by a collective belief in their mission.
Looking forward, Every Life Matters aims to extend its impact beyond regional boundaries. By sharing expertise, developing comprehensive training programmes, and maintaining their deeply personal approach,
She concludes: “It's about real people, real stories, and the belief that every life is worth saving."