Five years of James' Place evaluation

Allan Brownrigg, Director of Clinical Services

When we look back over the past few years of external evaluation led by Professor Pooja Saini at Liverpool John Moores University, what really stands out is a simple but powerful story: our approach is making a genuine difference to the lives of men in suicidal crisis.

From the very beginning, men told us they felt safe, understood, and respected. Many spoke about how important it was to come into a space that didn’t feel clinical or intimidating, but instead welcoming and human. The relationships they built with therapists were consistently strong, and that trust became the foundation for change. Practical tools like ‘Lay Your Cards on the Table’ gave men a way to make sense of what they were facing and begin to take back some control.

As the service developed, the evidence grew stronger. We saw significant reductions in suicidality and psychological distress. Men who arrived feeling trapped and overwhelmed left with a clearer sense of hope and possibility. Importantly, this impact wasn’t limited to individuals, it extended to families, workplaces, and communities. The ripple effect of supporting one man often meant supporting many others around him.

We also learned that this model is both robust and adaptable. It worked effectively before and during COVID-19, and when needed, it transitioned successfully to remote delivery without losing its impact. This flexibility means we can meet men where they are, while still offering a consistent, high-quality therapeutic experience.

Demand has remained high throughout, showing just how needed this kind of service is. Encouragingly, we’ve also seen that the model can be replicated successfully in new locations, such as London, Newcastle and now Birmingham where the core approach, with its strong therapeutic relationships, consistent methods, and welcoming environment has been maintained.

Alongside these outcomes, the work has demonstrated clear social value. Men often come to the service facing multiple, complex stressors, yet with the right support, meaningful change is possible. The evidence shows that this is not only effective care, but also a valuable investment in people and communities.

Of course, we’ve also learned what we need to do to keep improving. Strengthening data collection, maintaining high clinical standards, and ensuring consistent delivery as we grow are all essential. There is also more to explore, particularly around key risk factors like feelings of entrapment, which have emerged as a central theme in understanding suicidal distress.

Taken together, these findings give us something incredibly important: confidence. Confidence that the James’ Place model works, that it can be delivered consistently, and that it can be scaled safely to reach more men who need it.

Just as importantly, this body of work sets a strong foundation for the future. It acts as a springboard for the next phase, where practice, research, and innovation come even closer together. With plans for a forthcoming advisory board and developing academic partnerships, there is a real opportunity to deepen our understanding, undertake more focused research, and continue to strengthen the evidence base.

In many ways, this is just the beginning. We now have a clear, evidence-informed model, a growing network of services, and a commitment to keep learning and improving. That combination puts us in a strong position to expand our impact, reaching more men, saving more lives, and continuing to build a service that is both compassionate and grounded in evidence.

And at the heart of it all remains a simple goal: to offer men in suicidal crisis a place where they can feel safe, be heard, and find a way through.

Read our latest evaluation here.

All our evaluations can be downloaded and read on this page.