Side by Side After Suicide – Connection through Time, Space, Compassion

What: Side by Side After Suicide, is an opportunity for people bereaved by suicide to come together, to commemorate those they have lost to suicide, to hear from people bereaved by suicide about projects which have helped them and to connect with others who are part of the suicide community. We hope that this event will help to build connections for people who have been bereaved by suicide and help to break down the stigma associated with suicide.

When: 6th September 2025

Where: Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT

Who: This event is open to anyone who has been bereaved by suicide.

Accessibility: A range of measures will be in place to support the conference being accessible and inclusive. Please see fuller details at the end of this invite. If you have any specific accessibility needs, please let us know when you are booking your place to attend or contact craig.wilson@gov.scot

Booking a place: Through the link on Eventbrite

Cost: Free

Refreshments: These will be provided during the day along with a buffet lunch. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know when you are booking your place to attend.

Transport: There is on street parking around the venue. Public transport options are available through this link Find Dovecot Studios

Focus for the day

The event will provide an opportunity to connect with others who have been bereaved by suicide. It will also provide an opportunity to hear some reflections about the Baton of Hope and to find out about what support is available through our network of organisations.

You are welcome to come and go throughout the day and only attend the sessions you wish. The agenda is set out below to help with your planning.

Agenda

10.00 – coffee and arrival

10.30 – welcome and connecting with people in the room

11.00 – Reflections on carrying the Baton of Hope

11.30 – Craft and (gentle) walk

12.30 – lunch

1.30 – music session

2.00 – memorial service

2.30 close

Further details

Accessibility: On the day we will:

• be thoughtful about our words and actions and ask participants and speakers to offer us feedback
• talk about stigma and discrimination and offer ways for you to do the same, on your own terms
• set up rooms so there is space for people's walking aids and wheelchairs and provide time to move around the venue between workshops and parts of the day,
• provide hearing loops throughout the events space,
• include clear descriptions of what to expect and the main content of workshops
• have an open-door policy at all times, so you can join and leave when that works for you
• offer quiet spaces to relax or take time out, away from the main agenda
• have listening volunteers who will be able to spend time with you talking through anything that comes up through the event that you want to talk through or support you to give any feedback about the event.

If there is anything else we can do to help you attend on the day, please note this on Eventbrite while booking or contact craig.wilson@gov.scot to let us know. We may be in touch with you directly to discuss your requests, but we will never ask for any proof or reasoning behind an access request. You can request anything that will make your experience better and we will do our best to meet any requests. For example, we could provide large print and audio versions of materials, British Sign Language interpretation, and captioning. All requests will be kept private. All requests need to be made at least two weeks before the conference please.

Terminology

Suicide Prevention Scotland recognises that terminology and labels used to refer to social groups and experiences is ethically and politically complex, can be harmful and is subject to debate and update.

Throughout the event, we will use the terminology partners themselves or cited publications have used to refer to the communities they are led by or referring to.

We are committed to continually engaging with this critical debate to understand and mitigate harm.