Figgy’s Fizz: supporting The Listening Place with every bottle
Why our first wine will help fund free, face-to-face support for people experiencing suicidal feelings.
A vineyard planted in Figgy’s memory
Figgy’s Fizz is our first wine, but to our family it represents far more than a first vintage.
In October 2022, we lost our son and brother, Chris, to suicide. He was 18. Chris, known to his family and friends as Figgy, loved farming and being outdoors. He hoped that one day he would work alongside us on the land.
Planting a vineyard in his memory gave us a way to carry that dream forward. The grapes in Figgy’s Fizz were grown in Figgy’s Field at Mount Ephraim Estate near Faversham, and his name appears on every bottle.
We also wanted the wine made in Chris’s name to support people who are struggling now. That is why Figgis Family Vineyard is supporting The Listening Place.
Our son and brother - Chris ‘Figgy’.
Why The Listening Place
The Listening Place provides free, regular, face-to-face support for adults who feel life is no longer worth living.
Across its four London sites, carefully selected and trained volunteers provide a warm, confidential and non-judgmental setting where visitors can talk openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings. They are listened to without being given advice or told how they should feel.
Appointments last 50 minutes and usually take place once a fortnight. The charity aims for each visitor to see the same volunteer throughout their appointments, allowing a trusting relationship to develop over time. People aged over 18 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts can self-refer, and they do not need a formal mental health diagnosis.
Talking openly about suicide can feel frightening. The Listening Place gives people the time and space to say what they are experiencing without judgement. That focus on listening, human connection and ongoing support made its work deeply meaningful to our family.
Supporting every conversation, one bottle at a time
In support of The Listening Place. A donation of 50p from every bottle sold will be made by Figgis Family Vineyard to The Listening Place (Registered Charity No. 1164739).
Daniel Hall from The Listening Place said:
“We feel privileged that Sean and Steph have chosen to work with us. There is such a moving story behind Figgy’s Fizz and with this partnership we can help deliver a message of hope.”
Face to face support offered at The Listening Place - Credit. The Listening Place
More than a donation
We know that no product or fundraising commitment can undo what happened to Chris. What this partnership can do is help fund a service built around listening, while encouraging more open conversations about suicide and reminding people that support is available.
Whenever we share Chris’s story, we try to do so with honesty and care. We hope Figgy’s Fizz will be opened and shared with friends and family, and that the story behind it might make somebody feel more able to talk, to listen or to seek help.
Sean Figgis said:
“Figgy’s Fizz is far more than a sparkling wine to us. It’s a way for us to remember Chris - he loved farming and being outside - and to create something positive from an incredibly difficult time. If it helps even one person feel able to speak up or seek support, then we’ve achieved something truly worthwhile.”
Sean Figgis - Owner of Figgis Family Vineyard, Chris’s Father. - Credit. Figgis Family Vineyard
About Figgy’s Fizz
Figgy’s Fizz 2025 is a single-estate, single-vineyard English sparkling white wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in Figgy’s Field on the Mount Ephraim Estate.
Made using the Charmat method, it is light, bright, fresh and fruit-forward. It has a 12.5% ABV and is available for £25 per bottle through the Figgis Family Vineyard website and selected fine food retailers across Kent.
You can buy Figgy’s Fizz online or learn more about The Listening Place, including how to access support, volunteer or make a direct donation.
Thank you to everyone who buys a bottle, shares Chris’s story or helps more people discover the support The Listening Place provides.
If you need support
If you are over 18, experiencing suicidal thoughts and able to attend appointments in London, you can self-refer to The Listening Place. The Listening Place is not a helpline and provides face-to-face support by appointment.
For immediate emotional support, call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
Please enjoy responsibly. 18+ only.
