Olly’s Future
2176. Ann Feloy
Ann Feloy, from West Sussex, lost her son Olly to suicide in February 2017, days before his 23rd birthday.
Wanting to help others who may be feeling the way Olly did, Ann set up her charity ‘Olly’s Future’ in loving memory of her son, and worked with GPs as Patients Care Lead for ‘Practise Hope’, an initiative to help young people who are suicidal or self-harming to get better support from their doctors’ surgeries.
The charity is increasing awareness of suicide prevention among students, including providing training and work experience opportunities, as well as working with GPs to build their confidence when responding to young people with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. As part of this, Ann co-created ‘Talking about Suicide: Ten Tools’ a suicide prevention training session taught online to thousands of people in the UK and around the world to help spot the signs in someone who may be thinking of suicide and have a sensitive and non-judgemental conversation to help them stay safe.
Ann also created Dr SAMS (Suicide Awareness in Medical Students), which is delivered every year to medical schools around the country, as part of the first year core curriculum, helping future doctors look after their own wellbeing, their peers and their future patients.
Before losing Olly to suicide, Ann worked in theatre and continues to use her scriptwriting skills to co-produce ‘Life-Saving Conversations’, to illustrate how to ask about suicide in different scenarios. These scripts are recorded by actors and used as a training tool for people from all walks of life. Ann has also launched the ‘Hear Me Out’ podcast, where guest speakers join to discuss topics around mental health.
In a personal letter to Ann, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved son, Oliver, and so inspired to learn how you are celebrating his qualities of love and light through your charity Olly’s Future, which is doing so much to improve the support for those who might be feeling the way Olly did.
“Through the development and delivery of ‘Talking about Suicide: Ten Tools’ training, you have opened up conversations on mental health and equipped thousands of people with the practical skills to spot the signs and talk to people about suicide.”
Ann said:
“I have so many people to thank for helping me in this work, particularly those wonderful friends of my son who have been with me every step of the way. Without them none of this work would be possible and I would not be receiving this marvellous award today.”
Find out more about ‘Olly’s Future’