Our People
Trustees
Karen Sykes – my journey through grief to Speak Their Name
Karen is a 57-year-old with over 39 years of nursing experience. She’s a proud mum, grandma, daughter, sister, friend… and a bereaved wife and mother. “My relationship with suicide was indifferent; as a nurse in intensive care, I saw it all the time. In October 2015, my world was shattered when I lost my husband, Ian, to suicide. And then in 2019, the unimaginable again when my youngest daughter, Beth, also died by suicide. These losses rammed home the harsh reality that suicide is indiscriminate, and can affect anyone.”
Losing Ian and Beth thrust Karen into a complex, overwhelming grief filled with blame, guilt, and endless “what ifs.” Eventually rediscovering purpose, she co-founded the Yorkshire Speak Their Name quilt group, each square being a labour of love dedicated to a precious life lost to suicide.
Karen is now the Safeguarding Lead at Speak Their Name. She acknowledges that while the pain of loss is devastating, there is also hope and healing in connection. “I needed to do something to ensure that my loved ones’ names would be forever spoken… that their lives would continue to matter. I’m committed to amplifying the voices of those bereaved by suicide, and helping prevent others from feeling that death is their only option.”
Roger Cunliffe – a bereaved parent’s perspective
“Our family has always participated in activities for charities, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in particular. Ellen had her university placement at Manorlands – she wrote many blogs sharing her vulnerability, and showing her passion for helping and supporting people. My view: Whatever I, or the family, do now is totally inspired by Ellen’s love for others.”
When Ellen died, the family raised over £1000 to ‘Get Roger to K2’ – not the mountain, but the Night Club in Keighley. Ever eccentric fundraising became an outlet for Roger’s grief. He acknowledges, his daughter would have said: “What are you doing here?” Or: “Woo, this is embarrassing!” Or something worse! Helping Ellen’s friends come together and support each other became an important upshot of Roger’s activities.
Roger is a proficient Project Manager who also lectures on the subject. This enabled him to support Anna (his wife) and colleagues as they built the Yorkshire Speak Their Name Quilt Group. “I feel the project has allowed people to express themselves, sharing emotions and feelings – I’m pleased to have played my part.”
Roger uses his commercial experience to help various CICs and charities. In 2023, Salford City College awarded him the ‘Pride of Salford Award’. Roger also sits on the Board of Governors of Salford City College Group – he has a keen purpose in giving back to the local community and society.
Mohinder Kapoor – caring deeply about care quality
Dr Mohinder Kapoor is a consultant psychiatrist. He champions awareness and understanding of mental health issues: through public engagement, education in the community, and social media. He is passionate about patient safety; his special interests are in raising awareness of mental health issues, suicide prevention, and health inequalities. “We must reduce stigma and break down barriers to accessing help if we are to improve mental health wellbeing and mental health outcomes.”
Active in local communities, Mohinder volunteers at Community Clinics and conducts workshops that foster a sense of purpose and belonging. He encourages individuals to take an active role in their treatment, and he advocates for their needs through his suicide prevention work. He frequently challenges biased or inaccurate representations through blogs, X, & LinkedIn posts.
Mohinder acknowledges that talking about suicide can be (often is) taboo. His blogs and articles on suicide prevention focus on the ‘AAA approach’: Awareness; this hopefully leads to Acceptance of the issues; and that aims to bring people to Ask for help.
Mohinder believes there is work to be done in every community: “If we all do our part, we can make things happen – each of us can make a difference by giving back to the community, and helping others to live a healthy life.”
Team
Anna Scott – a mother’s loss, and her outlet through advocacy
Anna lost her daughter Ellen to suicide in 2017. No more phone calls, no more visits, no new memories, no more road trips, no more festivals, no more wine time. This tragic event reshaped Anna’s life, and took her on a path of grief, resilience, and advocacy for mental health support.
“Ellen’s death was a devastating blow; she had battled so much. The night after her 23rd birthday she was gone, leaving behind a void filled with grief, unanswered questions, and a profound sense of loss. Leaving the cemetery on the afternoon of her funeral is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done”.
Anna helped create ‘Mermen for Mind’ – a calendar celebrating places Ellen loved with quotes from her blog – and raised funds for the mental health charity Mind. This sparked the conversations about mental health and suicide that Ellen had wanted; and during this terribly difficult period, Anna also considered ending her life. She found the strength to carry on: “The importance of community and support in the darkest times cannot be overstated.”
Like Karen, Anna co-founded Yorkshire Speak Their Name where each lovingly crafted square represents a life, a story, a person who mattered. The panels now cover 31m² – powerful statements of the importance of mental health conversations.
Ashley Redsell – empowering people
With one wife and three children, none of whom has ever expressed suicidal intent, Ashley considers himself a very fortunate man. Although he once helped a distressed lady to the safe side of a bridge parapet, his first real understanding of suicide was responding to a 2022 advert for marketing support by two bereaved Dads. The men were Steve Phillip of The Jordan Legacy, and Mike McCarthy of Baton of Hope.
Ashley was shocked to discover how many people take their own lives each year in the UK… and stunned when he appreciated how few people are aware of that. Accepting that leaders – in the Government, the NHS, social care, the voluntary and private sectors – make some effort, he has become convinced it is people who must bring about change. “It’s Mums, Dads, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, Colleagues and Strangers who can and must make a difference – we need ordinary folk to know what can be done… and then just do it!”
As Event Director, Ashley was the driving force behind the first Baton of Hope UK Tour in 2023; and he was the impetus behind the creation of Speak Their Name in 2024. “We have a brilliant team to provide compassionate support to the bereaved… and straightforward, effective learnings for everyone else.”
Caroline Roodhouse – speaking with conviction
Caroline is a best-selling author, speaker and advocate transforming how we talk about suicide, grief and healing. After losing her husband to suicide in 2018, she turned personal torment into a mission rooted in hope, honesty, and humanity. “The complex trauma resulting from Steve’s sudden suicide has defined my mission to support and empower others who have faced a similar tragedy – helping them to manage their grief, navigate their mixed emotions, prioritise their wellbeing, articulate their own story, and ultimately find hope again.” Through her book, Daddy Blackbird, she shares life-saving messages that create space for healing conversations.
A Strategic Communications and Wellbeing Specialist, and author of the British Standard’s First Steps Guide to Suicide and the Workplace accompanying BS30480, Caroline’s focus is to help organisations and communities build emotionally intelligent, human-centred cultures. A mother of two, she leads with empathy, courage and connection. Caroline’s message is clear: “How we speak saves lives.”
Vicky Eagle – spreading hope with passion and purpose
Vicky is a PR and Marketing professional, building her career on creativity and communication. Passionate about giving back, she takes on numerous voluntary roles to support causes close to her heart.
In 2024, Vicky faced the devastating loss of her husband, Matthew, to suicide. This profoundly life-changing experience shifted her focus and purpose. “During this incredibly difficult time, we received support from several suicide bereavement charities whose compassion, understanding, and kindness made an immeasurable difference.”
Speak Their Name is a cause that offers hope, understanding, and community to those affected by suicide. Vicky sees her support as both a tribute to Matthew and a way to honour his memory by sharing her own experiences, raising awareness, and helping others navigate the challenging journey.
Vicky lives on the South Coast with her nine-year-old daughter, Poppy, and their lively Border Terrier, Eddie: “Together, we find moments of joy, love, and remembrance, carrying Matthew’s memory forward in everything we do.”
Helen Unwin – supporting people with diverse outlooks
Helen is an ADHD coach, trainer, and writer who bridges the gap between personal experience and professional practice in mental health and neurodiversity. Her own journey is the foundation of her work: “Like many ADHDers, I grew up believing I just needed to ‘try harder,’ when what I truly needed was understanding, support, and the right strategies.”
That experience drives Helen’s approach today. She helps people understand their brains, release shame, and find practical ways to live with more ease and confidence. She knows that every individual’s story is different, and she’s passionate about helping each one find their own version of connection.
With a background in corporate leadership and digital product development, Helen intimately understands the pressures of high-stress environments. She finds balance as a mother, a music lover, and an avid outdoors enthusiast: “My leisure pursuits keep me grounded, and reinforce my strong belief in the importance of mental health, compassion, and community.”
Partners
Rose Rowkins – insightful conversations about suicide
Rose believes that suicide is everyone’s business. She works passionately to build HOPE through meaningful connections, one conversation at a time.
In her teens, Rose lost a close friend to suicide. This tragic loss ignited a powerful need to understand what drives such desperate action. She became a Samaritan in her early 20s, and then a Samaritan trainer. “I found that people felt comfortable unburdening themselves to me – I realised I had a gift for helping to relieve their pain, and this strengthened my resolve to work in mental health.”
After training future GPs to respond better to young people who were self-harming, Rose learned to deliver the two-day ASIST workshop—the ‘gold standard’ in suicide intervention training. This decision was pivotal, but inadvertently led to a personal breakdown and suicide ideation. “This dark period provided me with profound insight into my work, and reinforced my determination to help others.”
In 2018, working with Ann Feloy from Olly’s Future, she co-developed the ‘Talking about Suicide: 10 Tools’ (TAS10) training. This has now been delivered to over 5,000 people (including staff at Downing Street), and is on the curriculum at a number of UK Medical Schools. In 2023, Rose led the team delivering the Baton of Hope UK Tour in Brighton.
Rose’s site: Start The Conversation
Clare Kemp – working with partners in suicide prevention
Clare first encountered suicide through losing a childhood friend. The anguish that followed was overwhelming – a grief that cascaded through families, friends, entire communities. “It’s a sobering reality that losing a loved-one to suicide increases the risk of suicide among those left behind.”
Clare was directly affected by suicide after a violent and traumatic attack left her battling severe depression, PTSD, and agoraphobia. During that dark period, she made multiple attempts to take her own life. “Living with the aftermath of the attack felt like serving a life sentence in my own mind – hope felt unreachable.”
Coming out of these experiences, Clare was motivated to get involved in suicide prevention. Through volunteering, she learned how to confidently ask the critical question: “Are you feeling suicidal?”, and also how to respond effectively. She set up her own mental health and suicide prevention charity; later, she took on the Bristol leadership of the Baton of Hope UK Tour.
Speak Their Name doesn’t just honour lives already lost – it’s crucial in raising awareness, and fostering a community where those affected by suicide find solace and understanding. “The work we do is more than just a memorial – it’s a call to action, a beacon of hope, and a lifeline for those who need it most.”
Clare’s charity: Hope Against Suicide