WARRINGTON South MP Sarah Hall has called for urgent government action following the closure of PAPYRUS’s HOPELINE247 service, inviting MPs and peers from across Parliament to sign an open letter seeking emergency funding and the restoration of specialist support for young people.
Speaking in the House of Commons on 10 September 2026, World Suicide Prevention Day, the Warrington South MP asked for an oral statement from a health minister on the charity’s closure, restoring the helpline and supporting the young people who relied on it.
PAPYRUS, based in Warrington South, entered administration on 7 September after almost 30 years of work to prevent young suicide. Its HOPELINE247 service, which provided round-the-clock support for young people experiencing suicidal thoughts and anyone worried about them, is no longer operating.
Ms Hall told the Commons that she had written to all MPs and peers inviting them to sign her cross-party letter addressed to the Health Secretary.
The letter calls for immediate support and a safe, viable route to restore HOPELINE247 or transfer its work to another organisation. It asks ministers to bring together the administrators and potential providers, with emergency funding supporting a proposal that meets safeguarding standards and draws on the experience of PAPYRUS staff.
It also calls on the Government to work with NHS bodies and the devolved administrations to update advice still directing people to HOPELINE247, and ensure anyone trying to contact PAPYRUS is told where else they can find help.
The letter asks for other organisations’ capacity and funding needs to be assessed, rather than assuming existing staff can absorb additional demand. It also seeks longer-term funding so specialist youth suicide prevention services can plan ahead and retain trained staff.
Ms Hall said: “When we ask young people to reach out for help, we must make sure someone is there to answer.
“My thoughts are with the young people and families who relied on PAPYRUS, and with the dedicated staff who have supported them.
“This is about working together across party lines to protect specialist support for young people. We need urgent action on a safe plan to restore the helpline or transfer its work, alongside the resources other services need to respond.
“I’m asking MPs and peers to sign my letter and help make the case for immediate support and secure, long-term funding.”
