Our Story

This Trust has been set up in memory of Jamie Horrocks who took his own life on May 30th 2013 aged 36.

A hugely popular young man with an infectious smile, great sportsman, footballer and fitness fanatic. A dedicated fire-fighter in Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue, who was nominated for the Pride of Britain Awards following his part in a large gas explosion in Irlam 2010.

Like so many other young men, Jamie hid his depression and anxiety for many years from his family and friends, which eventually led to him to using alcohol in an attempt to cope with his condition. After seeking support, then being hospitalised with blood poisoning following a bite from a stray cat he rescued, his depression hit rock bottom and Jamie took his own life.

The impact of his death devastated not only his family, friends but a local community and Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service.

We decided we wanted to use Jamie’s story to help prevent others facing such a tragic event.

Our Core Aims

We aim to fund and support campaigns and partnership work which reduce the risks associated with and support the impact of suicide. We do this by:

  • Encouraging the uptake of activities and sports for individuals/groups that may be at risk of mental health issues and/or drug and alcohol issues.
  • Raising awareness of the risks associated with mental health and/or alcohol and drug issues.
  • Improving the awareness of mental health issues and addiction in the workplace, so colleagues and employers can identify individuals at risk and signpost to support services.
  • Improving and developing better ways of identifying and supporting people bereaved by suicide in a timely manner which put the needs of the bereaved at the centre of the process by establishing a suicide support service.
  • Equipping and training employers to support employees who may be at higher risk of suicide due to any demographic and employment profile.

How We Deliver Change

We work with people with lived experience, and in partnership with community groups to drive change by raising Awareness, embedding Engagement, and delivering Support.

Lived experience and community focused

  • We have developed a number of support systems, providing timely access, both face-to-face and on-line.  Developed by people with lived experience, for people with lived experience.
  • We have enabled the development of a community-based peer to peer network, training and connecting people who work with young people and vulnerable groups. 
  • We work in partnership with community-based groups to raise awareness of, and develop more accessible ways to deliver mental health fitness, early interventions and signpost at points of crisis. Once tested, we will share these outputs with partner organisations.
  • We attend events to raise awareness on mental fitness and wellbeing, starting open conversations and providing bereavement support.

Future Vision

Over the next 3-5 years we are developing a longer-term strategy to ensure we embed mental fitness and wellbeing into everyday conversations, so it becomes the ‘norm’, and not a separate subject.

Our Trustees

Administration & Governance

We were officially founded as a charity in 2019. Our Registered Charity Number is 1183037. We are registered with HMRC for Gift Aid contributions & tax purposes.

Our Trustees are responsible for the governance and administration of the Jamie Horrocks Trust.

Our Policies

David Pike

Chair of Trustees

Dave has been Trustee since 2014, when we founded the original Trust.  Brother-in-law, and work colleague of Jamie, Dave has been a driving force behind the charity.  His experience as lead Governor of Salford Royal and local community activist has enabled Dave to connect the Trust to many key partners and launch the Lad’s Den in 2000.

David Horrocks

Trustee

David has been Trustee since 2014. Jamie’s dad, a retired fire fighter, huge football fan, he wants to use the charity to ensure others do not have to face the same experience.

Paula Horrocks

Treasurer

Paula has been a Trustee, and treasurer since 2014. Jamie’s Mum, Paula has vast experience in working in various roles with youth services, including as deputy manager of Barton Moss Secure Unit. She has been a supporting role in the charity including assisting in the running of the bereaved by suicide support group.

Tammy Pike

Trustee & Executive support

Tammy has been a Trustee since 2014. Jamie’s sister, her 21 years’ experience in the NHS including lead for equality, engagement and lead for user experience for the Northern Care Alliance, has enabled the Trust to use lived experience as a driving force in all our work.

Adam Stevens

Trustee

Adam is a family man with a passion for his community. He has been a volunteer sports coach for over 15 years and has seen first hand how team sports have a positive impact on mental health. He believes it’s vital that people don’t struggle in silence and feel able to ask for help.

Hannah
Robinson-Smith

Trustee

Hannah joined the Trust in 2023. As a local councillor, and working in City Mayor’s cabinet, she brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience to the Trust. Hannah is a great advocate of local community groups, and is incredibly passionate about developing support services locally to stay mentally well, especially in times of crisis. She is incredible proud to join the Trust, supporting people in need.

Sarah Knight

Trustee

Sarah joined the Trust in 2023.  As an award-winning workplace culture and leadership consultant, she brings a wealth of experience as an expert trainer in human skills, a qualified NLP practitioner, a champion of women in leadership, and her impact on the culture and wellbeing in the workplace, to name just a few!  She is passionate to assist us to develop and deliver evidenced based approaches, and interventions.