Lara Turner

Lara works in the fiduciary industry in Guernsey and is a member of Talking Benches Guernsey.

Talking Benches is the brainchild of three Guernsey women who sadly lost their sons to suicide and who started the initiative of raising sponsorship in order to get benches made, painted bright orange and put in various locations in Guernsey to encourage people to use the benches to talk more and reach out if they see anyone struggling.

Talking Benches went on to set up a suicide support and friendship group in May 2022 and since attending Lara has become involved with one of the Founders and two other ladies as part of Talking Benches with their mission being to raise awareness of Suicide and instigate changes in Guernsey.

As well as working independently, Talking Benches also collaborate with other local charities such as Guernsey Mind and the Samaritans with the first Suicide Journey Conference being held in March 2024 which was a great success.

Since her father took his own life in March 2022 Lara has been trying to figure our her purpose in life and has concluded that it is to make a difference in anyway that she can by raising awareness of suicide and the impact it has on others not only as part of Talking Benches but individually.

She has been involved in numerous local press and media interviews, encouraging individuals to speak up and ask for help.

Lara wants to share her Suicide Lived Experience, which includes the impact it has had on her and her family in order to help others.