Support after Suicide 

Geraint Thomas

National Advisory and Liaison Service Lead Officer

I worked in the Civil Service for 31 years in a wide variety of Team Leader, Specialist and Managerial roles, before choosing to join the Jac Lewis Foundation as National Advisory Liaison Service Co-ordinator in mid 2024.

I bring my current experience as a Psychology graduate, Samaritan Listener for 13 years, Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Party Leader/Welfare Officer for 6 years, Brecon Beacons National Park Warden most weekends, and as a Mountain Training Association Qualified Mountain Leader (teaching, leading groups and promoting positive mental health benefits in the UK’s Mountain ranges) in my spare time. I believe in making the most of all available time to help those disadvantaged in society and was humbled to be awarded a British Empire Medal in 2020.

I strive to support all those I encounter, whatever their circumstances, in my current role.

Liz Thomas-Evans Chief Executive Officer Jac Lewis Foundation

Over the past two decades, I have dedicated my career to developing and delivering counselling services within statutory services. As a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR Therapist, I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, and adults.

Throughout my career, I have consistently prioritised providing accessible and free counselling and mental health support to the community. In 2019, I co-founded the Jac Lewis Foundation in collaboration with the Ammanford Community in memory of Jac Lewis, a 27-year-old who tragically died by suicide.

Since its inception, the Jac Lewis Foundation has experienced substantial growth and now offers support across Wales for anyone affected by suicide through the National Advisory and Liaison Service.

I am deeply grateful to my dedicated and passionate team for their unwavering commitment to continuing the foundation’s mission of preventing suicide by providing counselling and mental health support to Welsh communities.

Meinir Evans, Chief Officer, Canolfan Felin Fach, Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Enfys Alice Postvention Service Manager

Worked in Mental Health services since 2005, as Manager of The Abbey Road Centre an adult mental health community Centre, in Bangor, North Wales.

After 14 years in the Voluntary Sector, worked for the NHS (BCUHB) and designed, managed and delivered the ICAN Unschedule Care Service at Emergency Departments at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, St Asaph and Ysbyty Maelor, Wrexham, which offered support and advice to adults presenting at the Emergency Department in crisis and / or emotional distress.

Developed the current ICAN Pathway as Project Manager to develop ICAN Community Hubs and ICAN Primary Care – placing Mental Health Occupational Therapists within the 14 GP cluster areas in North Wales, offering patients a longer, specialist appointment when presenting with issues which had a detrimental effect on their emotional and mental health.

Currently, since 2023 back in the 3rd sector, managing a Mental Health Resource Centre, Canolfan Felin Fach, in Pwllheli. The Centre is an ICAN and Community Hub, and offers a wide range of help to adults with poor mental health via groups, information sharing, activities and one to one support and signposting.  From April 2025 Canolfan Felin Fach will manage Enfys Alice, a postvention support service across North Wales, working in partnership with existing organisations which deliver postvention services in the area.

I also deliver the iCAN Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Training, which provides a brief overview of common mental health conditions, discusses suicide and self harm, with final section on maintaining  own emotional health and wellbeing.  The half day course is accredited through CPDUK and has been delivered to approx. 15,000 people ranging from North Wales Police, clinical staff, taxi drivers and members of the construction industry.