Maytree | latest news

The report is very encouraging too for the 60-plus volunteers who give so much time and commitment to Maytree. Knowing the high incidence of suicide and self harm, we really want as many people as possible to be aware of Maytree’s availability, and to know how to contact us.” The full evaluation report is now available, see "Find out more" above.
Maytree's Latest News... (Apr 2006) Positive Outcome ! After six months, a team from the Tavistock Clinic are now finalising their evaluation of Maytree’s work. “Without letting the cat out of the bag, we are delighted that an early draft of the report gives us a strong endorsement on all fronts,” says Michael Knight, Maytree’s co-founder. “In particular we are expecting the report to offer firm evidence of a reduction in suicide risk for most guests.” Since the autumn a team led by Dr Stephen Briggs, has been working to build a picture of how Maytree operates. The study has been sponsored and funded by City Parochial Foundation, to mark the third anniversary of Maytree opening. Present and past guests, volunteers, staff and referrers have been interviewed, and observers have sat in on day-to-day activities at Maytree’s house in Finsbury Park. Paddy Bazeley, Maytree’s Director says, “After three years - and over 160 guests - we have anecdotal evidence that we are offering a valuable service. But it is also important for the people who use our services or who give us money to know this.	APPROVED . The study aimed to answer key questions, including: How did Maytree manage the risks posed by suicidal people? What were the effects of a stay at Maytree on the suicidality and vulnerability to suicide of the guests? How was Maytree managed? What could Maytree do better, or do differently? Find out more
	Find out more... If you would like to know more about the Tavistock team’s findings, a launch event was held in early June. Contact us and we will send you full details of the event. However, for an in-depth look at the results of the evaluation click Summary (pdf format) or Final Evaluation (pdf format) or contact us at Maytree to receive a copy.

Why have an evaluation? When Maytree started out four years ago as a pioneering project, setting out to offer a new service to the acutely suicidal, we knew we would have to prove our worth, that it would be hard to persuade some professionals to refer people at risk to somewhere non-medical, especially for a four day maximum stay. The final judge would of course be those who stayed at Maytree, our ‘guests’ – and we knew it would be hard to know how much benefit they experienced, especially when our policy is to offer no follow-up or ongoing support once guests leave. It was always our intention after three years to get some objective feedback from guests and others, to validate or amend the Maytree model. Last September, after going out to competitive tender, Maytree in partnership with City Parochial Foundation commissioned the Tavistock Clinic to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of its model and specifically of the benefits to its users.

“In the middle of my life I found myself in a dark forest. I have now found a torch. Thank you for taking away my pain and helping me find myself.” *...Guest*	“All health professionals, CMHT workers and GPs should be made aware of the services provided by Maytree and should be confident and able to refer people to it.” Report of Camden Suicide Prevention Scrutiny Panel (Click HERE to read the original report)