HUGG was founded in 2017 by Fiona Tuomey, following the devastating death by suicide of her 11-year-old daughter Milly. Experiencing a deep need to speak to people who truly understood what she was going through, Fiona searched for a support group for people impacted by suicide led by those who had a lived experience of suicide – but none existed.
Driven by a desire to fill this gap and ensure that no one bereaved by suicide would have to go without support, Fiona set up HUGG’s first support group in 2017. The demand for more groups, and other unmet needs, quickly became clear, and HUGG was established as a registered charity in 2018, on Milly’s birthday.
All of HUGG’s volunteers and staff have a lived experience of suicide and can provide unique support and insights into the often difficult and complex emotions and life challenges that follow a death by suicide.
“You don’t have to put everything into the perfect words to make somebody understand because they already understand. So that is the best part, they do understand.”
Charlie, NSRF study participant
The impact of suicide is devastating. Everyone deserves accurate, timely information and signposting to appropriate supports to help navigate this unique grief.
Fiona Tuomey,
CEO and Founder of HUGG
Core Values
Empathy through lived/living experience:
Our work is guided by the experience of those who have been bereaved by suicide.
Equality
We support any adult who has experienced loss through suicide, and seek new ways to reach those who find it difficult to ask for help.
