Cutting-Edge Communication Tools to Save Lives
Bristol, UK – National mental health charity Suicide Prevention UK (SPUK) has partnered with BroadNet, a leading provider of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios, in a major technological advancement for frontline response, safety, and live coordination across its UK operations.
This innovative move brings together real-time radio communication, live GPS tracking, and seamless What3Words integration, enabling SPUK to deploy, monitor, and support their teams more efficiently than ever — both on the ground and from their Bristol-based operations center.
???? Cutting-Edge Communication Tools to Save Lives
SPUK’s frontline patrol volunteers operate in high-risk environments such as riversides, bridges, and urban hotspots — often in poor weather, low-light conditions, and areas with limited visibility. With BroadNet’s PoC radio system, SPUK teams are now equipped with:
- Push-to-Talk radios that work across the entire UK via 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi
- Live GPS location tracking, viewable in real-time from HQ
- What3Words integration for exact location pinpointing in emergencies
- CAD-style messaging to send and receive detailed updates
- Group and private voice channels for patrol, medical, or emergency comms
- Instant emergency alerts from patrols to the control centre
????️ Office-Based Controllers Coordinating Patrols Across the UK
A major part of this upgrade includes SPUK’s ability to centrally control patrol activity from their Bristol operations hub. Designated controllers monitor active teams in real time, respond to alerts, share precise locations with emergency services, and log updates through a dedicated dispatch platform.
This office-based coordination ensures that all patrols, whether in Bristol, the South West, the North East, or anywhere in between, are fully supported and accounted for throughout their shift.
“Thanks to BroadNet, our patrols are no longer isolated,” said Michael Everett, Founder and Operations Manager of Suicide Prevention UK. “We can now see exactly where our teams are, respond instantly when they need backup, and guide emergency services to within three metres using What3Words. This is a huge step forward for the safety of both our teams and the people we’re here to support.”
???? Technology Backed by Mission-Driven Purpose
SPUK’s partnership with BroadNet not only improves communications but also increases response accuracy. By using What3Words, a global geolocation technology that divides the world into 3-metre squares and assigns each one a unique three-word address, volunteers can now share and confirm precise locations in seconds — even in rural areas or off-road locations with no postcodes.
In mental health crisis situations, those few seconds can make the difference between life and death.
???? Scalable and Future-Proof BroadNet’s flexible system means SPUK can scale operations as their patrol network grows. Whether a new city is added or a major event is covered, controllers can onboard new radios instantly, assign comms groups, and deploy new support channels — all within minutes.
“This technology empowers our charity to grow safely,” added Everett. “It gives us the structure of a blue-light service with the heart of a grassroots organisation.”
???? About Suicide Prevention UK
Founded in 2019 and based in Bristol, Suicide Prevention UK is a volunteer-led charity that supports individuals in crisis, operates a national helpline, and deploys patrol teams to known high-risk locations. Their work is entirely donation-funded and has already helped safeguard thousands of lives.
Learn more: www.spuk.org.uk
???? About BroadNet
BroadNet is a trusted UK-based provider of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) systems used by emergency services, security teams, and safety-first organisations across the UK. Their technology enables secure, scalable communication anywhere with mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Learn more: www.broadnet.systems
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???? info@spuk.org.uk
???? www.spuk.org.uk
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