Ripple Suicide Prevention

Ripple Suicide Prevention
Formation2021 (2021)
FounderAlice Hendy MBE
TypeCharity
Registration no.Charity No. 1194331
Legal statusRegistered charity
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
ServicesSuicide prevention through online search interception
Websiteripplesuicideprevention.com

Ripple Suicide Prevention is a suicide prevention charity based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2021 by Alice Hendy MBE, the organisation develops a browser extension and Wi-Fi tool to intercept harmful online searches related to self-harm and suicide.[1] Founded as R;pple Suicide Prevention, the charity later changed its name to Ripple Suicide Prevention.

History

Ripple Suicide Prevention was founded following the death of Hendy's brother, Josh, who died by suicide in November 2020 at the age of 21, after researching methods of self-harm online.[2][3][4][5]

In 2022, Ripple Suicide Prevention partnered with Premier League football club West Ham United.[6] In 2023 the charity hosted a festival to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.[7][8] During this period, the charity also partnered with the Association of Colleges[9] and Mental Health First Aid.[10]

In 2025, the charity continued its collaboration within sport when partnering with Sussex CCC[11]. Ripple also partnered with the Premier League, launching Together Against Suicide, a nationwide campaign to support fans affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, developed in partnership with Samaritans and backed by all 20 Premier League clubs. The initiative, unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day, aimed to raise awareness of available support services. As part of the campaign, the League funded club subscriptions to the Ripple tool.[12][13]

In the same year, the charity expanded into healthcare sectors where suicide rates are disproportionately high.[14][15][16][17] The charity has also partnered with US-based organisations, including the National Cybersecurity Alliance[18] and the State of Rhode Island.[19]

NHS and local government

Ripple is endorsed and supported by NHS trusts and local government bodies across England. This includes:

Recognition

In 2022, Ripple won the Royal Society for Public Health's Public Mental Health and Wellbeing Award for its innovation and scalability in suicide prevention.[25] In 2025, the organisation was recognised by the British Royal Family with the King's Award for Enterprise in the category of Innovation.[26] In 2025, Ripple was again acknowledged by the British Royal Family when joining The Royal Foundation's National Suicide Prevention Network, aiming to transform suicide prevention across the UK.[27]

In 2025, Ripple Suicide Prevention was recognised at the annual Centre for Social Justice awards for its innovative use of technology in suicide prevention[28]. Alice Hendy MBE accepted the award from England manager Sir Gareth Southgate in recognition of the charity’s work. As part of the award, Ripple received funding to further develop its technology and expand its reach.

Alice Hendy MBE

Alice Hendy MBE, founder of the charity, has received significant media coverage and recognition for her role in suicide prevention and mental health campaigning.[29][30][31][32]

In 2021, Hendy received the Entrepreneur of Excellence Award at the National Diversity Awards, recognising her work to promote digital safety and mental health equity.[33] In 2023 she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to suicide prevention[34] and in 2025, Hendy was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Portsmouth.[35][36]

Governance and funding

Ripple is registered as a charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1194331). Funding comes from grants, corporate partnerships, and public donations.

References

  1. ^ "'I couldn't save my brother from suicide - but my game-changing tech could save others'". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  2. ^ "Margate: Family remembers son's kind legacy after death". www.bbc.com. 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  3. ^ Robinson, Lucy (2025-05-04). "'My brother took his own life - what I found on his phone broke my heart'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  4. ^ "'Life and soul of the party' - Tribute after death of Josh aged 21". Daily Echo. 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  5. ^ Bellotti, Alex (2021-09-10). "'My brother took his life after visiting sick suicide sites - I'm fighting back'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  6. ^ Victor, Tom (2022-09-23). "West Ham partner with suicide prevention tool after death of 21-year-old fan". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  7. ^ "Suicide prevention charity's Portsmouth event to inspire, commemorate and celebrate with celebrity guests". The News. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  8. ^ "Festival in brother's memory raises awareness of suicide prevention app". BBC News. 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  9. ^ "Mental health, poverty, deprivation: the challenges facing FE". Association of Colleges. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  10. ^ "Mental Health First Aid England partners with Ripple to safeguard workforce and advance suicide prevention across the UK". MHFA Portal. 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  11. ^ "Sussex CCC are pioneers in suicide prevention project". SussexWorld. 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  12. ^ Gabbitass, Anna-Rose (2025-09-11). "Premier League launches 'Together Against Suicide'". Sport Industry Group. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  13. ^ "Premier League launches 'Together Against Suicide' to support fans". www.premierleague.com. 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  14. ^ "New partnership set to tackle suicide in healthcare sector". Dental Nursing. 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  15. ^ Tice, Craig (2025-04-29). "Agilio Software and Ripple Unite to Tackle Suicide in Healthcare". BSDHT. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  16. ^ "Tacklling suicide in healthcare". Ireland's Dental Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  17. ^ "Uniting to tackle suicide in healthcare". British Dental Journal. 238 (9): 736. May 2025. doi:10.1038/s41415-025-8751-y. ISSN 1476-5373.
  18. ^ "Cyberbullying - National Cybersecurity Alliance". www.staysafeonline.org. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  19. ^ "Resources for School Staff (K-12) | Prevent Suicide RI". preventsuicideri.org. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  20. ^ "Recognising risks to suicide". www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  21. ^ Trust, CPFT NHS. "Are you worried about someone". CPFT NHS Trust. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  22. ^ "I'm struggling to cope | Worcestershire County Council". www.worcestershire.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  23. ^ "Suicide Prevention- deploy the Ripple browser extension for free". Norfolk Schools and Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  24. ^ "Suicide Prevention". North Lincolnshire Council. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  25. ^ "Public Mental Health & Wellbeing Award 2022 Winner". Royal Society for Public Health. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Page S1 | Supplement 64723, 6 May 2025 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk (embedded PDF). Retrieved 2025-08-11. Ripple Suicide Prevention, led by Alice Hendy, is listed as a 2025 award recipient in the Innovation category on page 42 of the embedded brochure.
  27. ^ foundation, royal (2025-10-10). "The Royal Foundation Launches The National Suicide Prevention Network To Transform Suicide Prevention In The UK". Royal Foundation. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  28. ^ ""We're truly honoured" - Pioneering and innovative charity wins national award". The News. 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  29. ^ "The woman helping to stop people from accessing harmful internet content". ITV.
  30. ^ "Computer Weekly's Women in UK Tech Rising Stars 2024 | Computer Weekly". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  31. ^ Vogue (2024-08-26). "British Vogue's Original Forces For Change Cover Stars Nominate 15 Next-Gen Game Changers To Know". British Vogue. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  32. ^ Horwood, Penny. "Here all the winners from the Women in Tech Excellence Awards 2024". Computing.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  33. ^ "Alice Hendy". National Diversity Awards. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  34. ^ "New Year Honours 2024: OBEs for bereaved Hampshire parents". 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  35. ^ "Delight as thousands of students celebrate their graduations - in pictures". The News. 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  36. ^ "University of Portsmouth celebrates inspirational figures with Honorary Doctorates at 2025 graduation". University of Portsmouth. 2025-07-21. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
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