SBP Peter Schorah Memorial Award
President George Callander and deputy president Trevor Shingler were delighted to attend a presentation ceremony at Cookson House on 11th September 2025, to present the Peter Schorah Memorial Award for 2025 to Helen McMenamin, founder of URL: http://theflyingfishcompany.co.uk/
Helen (pictured left) is a well-known and well-respected grief specialist. Helen says of her work:
"Grief does not end when someone walks back into work. It follows them through meetings, emails and daily routines. Yet many workplaces do not know how to respond. That silence can cause more harm than anyone realises. My experience was not an exception. It was one of many. Current research and national postvention guidance highlight the need for compassionate and informed responses to loss at work.
Without support people leave. They lose financial stability and connection. Organisations lose valued colleagues they have already invested in.
I want to change that.
This work is about education, action and care. It is about giving managers and teams the tools to show up for one another when it matters most. My training is human centred, business conscious and grounded in real experience and current research.
I believe there is a better way to support people through grief at work. It does not need to be complicated. It just needs to be thoughtful, informed and real.
That is the approach I bring to every organisation I work with."
Congratulations, Helen!
SBP Presentation Ceremony
We were delighted to hold a presentation ceremony for the 2025 Winners of the President's Award of Merit, "Billy's Lifeline" in South Shields on Friday 13th June 2025.
The ceremony was held at Cookson House, the headquarters of Billy's Lifeline of which SBP President, George Callander serves as Chaplain. George was joined by newly-appointed SBP Deputy-President, Trevor Shingler, who is also a Director of Billy's Lifeline.
We were warmly welcomed by Billy's Lifeline staff, Volunteers and service users who attended both the Ceremony and the fantastic buffet lunch afterwards.
At the Ceremony, the President made the following Award:
President's Award of Merit
in recognition of the Organisation’s uniquely outstanding and dedicated contemporary and holistic approach to supporting families & loved ones impacted by the complexity of suicide loss. Operating across the North East of England, the Billy’s Lifeline team create
positive community relationships and provide support, education and mentorship.
the President and Deputy-President made the following Award:
The SBP Diploma of Merit
EDNA WIDDRINGTON
(Mam of Billy of Billy's Lifeline)
Awarded to acknowledge the great respect and admiration in which the Society hold Edna and the profession- alism and commitment she gives to her Charity, her clients and their families. It is also the comfort that her loving, gentle presence brings to so many, which led to public nomination for this Award.