🌸 Suicide Prevention – At the Heart of Nicola’s 

🌸 Nicola’s exists because of the devastating loss of Nicola, who ended her life far too soon due to chronic pain from endometriosis, waiting on a long waiting list to be seen and then her operation being cancelled last minute. Her story is one of pain, but also of love — and it is in her memory that we have created this space of hope, support, and connection.

🌸 Suicide is not simply about wanting life to end — it is often about not knowing how to go on with the weight of pain, silence, or feeling unseen. At Nicola’s, we want every woman to know: you are not alone, your voice matters, and your life matters.

🌸 In 2025, Elaine (Nicola's mum) and I carried the Baton of Hope in Bathgate, West Lothian in Nicola’s memory. This national movement symbolises our shared determination to break the stigma around suicide and to ensure that lives like Nicola’s are never forgotten. Holding the baton was more than a moment — it was a promise: to turn pain into purpose, to carry forward Nicola’s light, and to keep working for change so that fewer families face the heartbreak of suicide.

🌸 We raise awareness about the struggles women face — from mental health and physical health issues/ difficulties to long waits for support and the stigma that can stop people asking for help. By opening safe spaces and honest conversations, we aim to break that silence and ensure that no one feels they have to walk their journey alone.

🌸 Every event we hold, every campaign we run, and every story we share is rooted in suicide prevention. Because behind the statistics are real people like Nicola — daughters, sisters, mothers, friends — whose lives should never be forgotten.

🌸 Today, Nicola’s is a growing movement. Based in Bathgate, our group has reached over 800,000 people on Facebook, featured in newspapers, and appeared on STV News in our first 2 months.

📍 Where & When:

Venue: The Westport, Bathgate
When: 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (pop in and leave whenever you like)

📱 Connect With Us:

🌐 Website: www.nicola-s.online

👉 If you are struggling right now, please know support is available. In the UK you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or NHS 24 on 111. If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, please call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.