A ‘lifeline’ for vulnerable people at risk of self-harming has received a funding boost from a building society as it prepares for higher demand over Christmas.

Over 300 people have called the new helpline for the Self-Harm Awareness For All (SAFA Cumbria) charity, which has been supported by The Cumberland with a £5,000 grant.

The Barrow-based charity, which provides counselling and support for those who self-harm and their immediate families and carers, plans to continue its phone counselling service into the new year, while it is estimated that demand for the service will be especially high over Christmas.

The counselling service has seen a significant rise in younger people being referred, with the majority of referrals falling within the 11-19-year-old ages.

SAFA Project Manager Kath Threlkeld said: “SAFA always has high demand and a waiting list for our 'normal' one-to-one counselling service with self-harmers.

“To help the local community we mobilised our counsellors and set up an emotional support helpline to help anyone in Cumbria - not just people who self-harm - but anyone who was adversely affected by the pandemic. This might have been bereavement, worsening of an existing mental health condition, anxiety, or isolation.

“We have used 300 helpline slots since the lockdown and the feedback is that it was a lifeline - especially when so many regular channels of support were closed.”

Cindy Daltioni, SAFA chief executive, said: “We are able to help people who exhibit self-harm behaviours - including eating disorders. Our main offering is one-to-one professional counselling which aims to get to the root of the reason behind the self-harm and provide alternate coping strategies.

“SAFA also supports friends and families via our newly introduced family support worker.

“We are very grateful to The Cumberland for their support for the vital work we done – it is sometimes quite literally, lifesaving. If anyone is suffering with self-harm of any kind, we encourage them to make a referral to our service.”

Lyndsey Taylor, Barrow & Ulverston Branch Manager at The Cumberland said: “The increasing numbers of people struggling, particularly during this crisis hits home how important vital support services offered by organisations like SAFA Cumbria are.

“This is why I’m really pleased we were able to help the team with this grant to continue to deliver the vital support work they do for people across the county.”