About Start the Conversation

Hi, I'm Rose, the face behind Start the Conversation. I'm a counsellor, sun-worshipper, mum of one, keen yogi and singer, and a passionate, experienced, international trainer of Suicide Prevention skills:

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• Co-creator of Talking about Suicide: Ten Tools (TAS10), a 90-minute Zoom session 

• Accredited tutor of SFA USI: Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention, the UK's only National Qualification in suicide prevention (City & Guilds Level 4)

• A consultant tutor for the National Centre for Suicide Prevention Training UK CIC

• A LivingWorks master trainer, having delivered over 35 ASIST programme across both hemispheres

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I have empowered thousands of people around the world (face-to-face and, since Covid, on Zoom) with the skills and confidence to talk about suicide: GPs, teachers, managers, HR teams, counsellors, youth workers, police officers, veterans, firefighters, you name it.

I have managed the innovative, award-winning Safe Space, amongst other mental health and youth projects. I have taught English across the Sahara Desert, created resources for parents worried about their child’s self-harm, and coached Vietnam veterans in the Australian bush on how to listen. I have coordinated trained new doctors (through roleplay!) how to communicate more effectively with teenage patients who are self-harming or thinking of suicide.

​I am motivated to help people overcome their deep-rooted fears and find the words to talk about suicide, because I believe, I know, that talking can save lives. It saved mine.

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I believe not only are we all capable of learning to have a brave, bold life-saving conversation, but that we all must learn these skills, because suicide doesn't discriminate.

Partners and Fellow Trainers

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No person is an island! Below are just some of the individuals I am proud to work alongside - all exceptional trainers consistently delivering high-quality, engaging training experiences, and each experts in their field, with proven achievements and success in Mental Health, Further Education, Local Authority, Human Resources, Coaching and more.

Whether partners, collaborators, fellow trainers and team-mates, we actively encourage one another's professional and personal growth, and recognise that together, we are worth more than the sum of our parts. To enquire about joining our team, contact us.