FAMS Charity
Compassionate, nonjudgmental, unique, free and confidential “Lived Experience Peer-Support” for those affected by suicide, murder or negative mental health experiences
”We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”
Our Mission
The Goal of FAMS has evolved recently. Originally we were formed by the families of victims of murder and suicide to help those affected by such losses, but we have decided to widen our mission goals to include any people who might need our help with emotional or mental health issues.
With the current health crisis in the UK we have seen a huge increase in communications from people who need someone to talk to – someone to look to for support – for a range of issues.
We have been taking calls from people of all ages, from children to adults, who are experiencing high levels of fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness and financial worries in these unsure times. We would never turn away anyone who needs our support, and so we’ve made the decision to widen our remit to include all people who need our FAMS.chat support.
FAMS currently have numerous volunteers and we are available to those who need us, 7 days a week, form 10am to 10pm.
Letter from Chair – Glasgow Kiltwalk 30th April 2023
FAMS are supporting the families of the victims below. These families are now supporting FAMS to raise funds to allow our services to continue.
Murder and suicide do not discriminate, affecting people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, or any other characteristic.
Anyone can become a victim of violence and homicide, whether they are young or old, rich or poor, male or female, and regardless of their background.
Similarly, suicide affects all demographics , as any person at any age can experience feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness that may lead them to take their own lives.
The reality is that anyone can be impacted by these tragic events. The Glasgow Kiltwalk is an important annual event for FAMS continuing to raise awareness and promote preventative measures to reduce the occurrence of murder and suicide in all populations.
Mandy Hunter
FAMS Chair
Join Our Team
Volunteers are the lifeblood of FAMS and crucial to the organisation’s survival and growth. It is as a result of the time commitment and effort of FAMS volunteers that the peer support service can be provided free of charge.
As murder, suicide and mental health issues are indiscriminate, FAMs volunteers come from different backgrounds and have a variety of skills. Normal people with normal lives who, with support, are surviving the desolation and chaos left behind after a murder and suicide or suicidal behavior, and supporting those in need of someone to talk to.
FAMS Newsletter
We will be updating our News Page with all of our upcoming events and general goings on, and we have an informational blog planned for all things mental health.
It would mean a great deal to us and help us out a lot if you could take the time to sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with all things FAMS.
You will be free to unsubscribe at any time and we value your privacy greatly. Our Privacy policy.
News
Covid 19 Update – FAMS.Chat Service
We Are Happy To Announce the FAMS.Chat Service FAMS have made the decision to widen its remit during theses worrying times. Our volunteers have been taking calls from vulnerable children, young people and adults all reporting living fear, confusion, hopelessness and...
Walk The Kiltwalk With FAMS
A team of walkers from Fams are walking The Kiltwalk Wee Wander route from Glasgow Green to The Riverside Museum 3.5 miles and we would love for you to join us. Our start time is 1.30pm all you need to do is head to the Kiltwalk Website and sign up. Anyone who would...
17 Newly Trained Volunteers – FAMS Chat Service
Working in partnership with Volunteer Scotland, VANL (Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire) and VASL (Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire) Volunteer Scotland, we are delighted to share that a further 17 newly trained FAMS Volunteers will be taking calls on FAMS.Chat...
Scotland’s Champions
“After receiving their award to thunderous applause Ann Marie, from Hamilton, said: “I can’t believe it. We feel truly honoured. FAMS is truly a unique charity in that every one of our 51 volunteers has been personally affected by murder, suicide, suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
“Our experience and empathy makes FAMS a safe, loving, non-judgemental and confidential place for people like Georgina to find support and sanctuary. The more people we can help the better.”
“It’s amazing to celebrate people who do such amazing things and are so selfless. It’s really great to see FAMS get this award.” – The Daily Record
PG’s Lighthouse
At the AGM, January 2019, FAMS Committee and stakeholders voted to invest in an office base for the project to enable it to grow and develop.
August 2019 we opened our main Motherwell premises, which are named Paul Gerald’s Lighthouse, in memory of Paul Gerald McGilvray. Since setting our Motherwell premises, April 2020 demand for services has more than doubled FAMS currently have 132 live referrals.
We touch Minimum 1,000 per annum between four annual events, youth groups, training and services.
