Beachy Head Chaplaincy has been saving lives
for over six years. The team patrols the cliff
tops searching for despondent or suicidal
people. The team also assists Sussex Police
and HM Coastguards. Frontline chaplains
are volunteers from local churches who
man over 100 hours of proactive patrols
every week of the year as well as providing
24 hour on call cover. Supporting the
frontline team are volunteers who provide
aftercare help and counselling.
‘Practical training has helped me do things I
never thought possible; searching the cliff tops
are despondent or suicidal. God has moved me
far out of my comfort zone but I’ve discovered I
can rely on Him in every situation.
‘Being part of BHCT also means relying on
other chaplains during our patrols. It
means relying on the more experienced
on-call leadership team who will come
out to assist when needed. It also means
being confident that our aftercare team
will look after some of the people we
rescue through counselling and other
practical forms of help.
In the words of one of our chaplains:
‘Beachy Head is incredibly beautiful, yet
people come here day and night who feel
alone and that life is painful and meaningless. Becoming a chaplain has given me
the privilege of joining a team that reaches out
to these people and offers them both help and
hope.
2010 in the UK has been hedged with uncertainty about jobs and income, a new coalition
government and huge national debt. We have
seen the human cost of such pressures. Mental
illness, a personal crisis, debt and relationship
breakdowns continue to be the main triggers
that bring despondent or suicidal people to
Beachy Head.
at night; keeping a cool head in an emergency;
liaising with coast guards and the police and
most importantly, getting alongside people who
hope and the choice of life over death. Sadly
there has also been a high number of deaths
and we pray for a time when this loss of life will
be drastically reduced.
To date, in 2010 we have dealt with 657
searches, which has resulted in the rescue of
238 people. God has helped us to be at the
right place at the right time to offer people
Overall, 2010 has seen BHCT become a more
effective suicide intervention team. Overleaf,
we outline our vision and plan for moving forward in 2011.
2010 has been a time of both consolidation and Saving lives at Beachy Head takes much more
change for the team. For example:
than patrolling with a team. It requires partner Regular team training has brought a new ship with many different people, churches and
standard of consistency and professionalism in businesses. Partnership enables us to keep
reaching out to those in distress both day and
search and rescue.
night. It enables us to not only save lives, but
 Our relationship with Sussex police, HM
hopefully to glorify God also.
Coastguards and Eastbourne Borough Council
continues to strengthen.
Here at Beachy Head Chaplaincy, there are two
types of partnership which we cannot do with An on-call search team enables us to reout:
spond to searches 24 hours a day.

However, our ministry is not based on uncertainty but the surety that God equips us to
reach out to the needy with a practical, strong
expression of His love and concern.
‘Most of all, I have seen first hand how
God can use very ordinary people to do
extraordinary things – to be His expression of kindness and concern to people
who are at the lowest point of their lives. All we
have to do is to be available – He’ll do the rest.’
A newly introduced dog search unit which
has bolstered our search capability.

We have launched a new website
(www.bhct.org.uk) and Facebook page.

A new cohort of volunteers is currently
being trained and will expand our frontline
patrol team from 12 to 15.

Prayer partners who intercede for the
work of the team on a regular basis. From this
group we also have an emergency prayer team.

Monthly partners whose generous regular
financial gifts enable us to continue to respond
to every emergency effectively.
For more information on partnering with us
please go to www.bhct.org.uk or call our office
on (01323) 504422
BHCT has been saving lives at Beachy Head for
over 6 years. In that time we have been involved in a staggering 3600 searches resulting
in the rescue of well over 1200 despondent
people.
A fundraising push is already underway to raise
funds for the provision of improved specialist
search equipment and training for the team
during 2011. Along with these improvements
we need to replace one of our aging 4x4 vehicles. A replacement Land Rover, equipped for
In this season we are very aware of the need to
the teams specialist role will cost us around
move forward so that we can continue to be
£35,000. This vehicle will improve our capability
effective in saving lives.
considerably and will enable Intervention teams
During 2011 we will be looking to take on and
to gain access to the emergency quickly and
train further volunteers to help man daytime
safely.
patrols particularly at the weekend. We will also
Aftercare services will also be revamped during
be supporting those volunteers with a number
2011, to help provide ongoing services to many
of full and part time staff who will be working in
of those rescued from the cliffs. This is particuboth Frontline and support roles.
larly important as many Government supported
services may begin to be reduced as a result of
budget cuts.
2010 has been a busy year for us with a number
of factors contributing. Our view for the year to
come is perhaps even bleaker as regards the
number of despondent people we expect to
find. However we believe that we are ideally
placed to save even more lives. At this challenging time we need your prayers and financial
help to do this. More information on BHCT can
be found on our website www.bhct.org.uk
Thank you for helping us save lives.
Ross Hardy, BHCT Director
Our effectiveness at Beachy Head relies on
your continued support and encouragement.
Please keep in touch.

visit our website, updated regularly with
our latest news www.bhct.org.uk

email to [email protected]

Write to 80 Wish Hill, Eastbourne
BN20 9HA

Phone us on (01323) 504422
How to donate:
Send a cheque made out to Beachy
Head Chaplaincy Team to 80 Wish Hill
Eastbourne BN20 9HA
This chaplain needs your help!

Can you ensure she patrols the cliffs tonight by
providing her with essential equipment and
resources?
£10 will buy 8 litres of petrol and enable
this chaplain to look for people walking on their
own or sitting alone in their car.
Become a monthly partner. Download
a form online. From 2011 monthly
partners will receive our twice yearly

supporters newsletter,

Donate £90 to give this chaplain a warm,
durable high visibility jacket.

£12 will buy light bulbs and ensure this
chaplain has a powerful light to go on foot patrol to search the cliff edge for despondent or
suicidal people.
Donate £370 to ensure chaplains on patrol
can stay in touch by radio, especially during cliff
edge negotiations.

Give £5 towards the weekly cost of the
team’s mobile phone so this chaplain could
contact the on-call team and the police or HM
coastguard for assistance.
RESCUE!
Give online via our website
Organise a sponsored event or fundraiser. Please see our website for a
fundraising pack.
Arrange for a speaker to come and
talk to your church or group about
the work of BHCT