The work of national suicide prevention charity, Console, has been recognised by the UK House of Commons.

Console currently operates centres all over Ireland, however it also operates two centres in central London, which provide support and counselling to people at risk of suicide and anyone who has been affected by suicide.

"As a nationwide organisation we receive a lot of referrals from families at home who are concerned about their loved ones living in Britain. They are seeking counselling and support for relatives and friends who may have left Ireland years ago and are now feeling lost, lonely, alone and disconnected. Some of these people are what is known as the ‘forgotten Irish' and many of them are living in poor circumstances and fearful for the future," explained Console founder, Paul Kelly.

At a recent ceremony attended by MPs and members of the House of Lords, Mr Kelly was presented with the UK Labour Party Irish Society community award for 2015.

"I am deeply moved and it is wonderfully to see an Irish organisation, which has only been in the UK for 18 months, receive such recognition. This award is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of Console's staff in London and the tremendous work they do every day, helping people who are in despair and those who have lost loved ones to suicide," Mr Kelly said.

As well as operating the two London offices, the charity is also working with a steering group in the House of Commons, which is working on a suicide prevention policy for the entire UK.

"Over 6,000 people die by suicide each year in the UK and unlike Ireland where young men are at high suicide risk, in Britain it is middle-aged men who are more likely to take their own lives," Mr Kelly pointed out.

He added that while the charity is ‘particularly close' to the Irish community in the UK, the London centres provide support and services to people ‘of all nationalities'.

Console can be contact at any time on 1800 247 247 and more information is available here