Janine GriffithsOn September 10th, the streets of Leeds will become a living tribute to lives lost and changed as 84 individuals carry the Baton of Hope from West to East. The journey ends in Gipton, placing East Leeds at the heart of the city’s call for suicide prevention.
This year’s message is powerful but simple: suicide is preventable, and hope is never out of reach.
Timed poignantly with World Suicide Prevention Day, the event begins at 8:30am at BARCA in Bramley and ends around 7pm at the Old Gipton Fire Station, with a heartfelt finale of music, performance and solidarity.
Each baton bearer, personally impacted or bereaved by suicide, will walk a section of the route before passing the baton on in a symbolic relay that cuts across the city and straight to the heart.
The emotional weight of the day will be met with community spirit in full force. Dozens of public events will unfold across the city alongside the route. Parks, green spaces, and vibrant hubs of creativity have been specially chosen to host the baton and the conversations it inspires.
Behind the scenes, an ambitious and compassionate multi-agency steering group including Touchstone, Leeds Mind, MindWell, and Leeds City Council has carefully curated every aspect of the day. Together, they’ve created a route that will resonate deeply with both the baton bearers and the communities cheering them on.
The baton will even pause inside Leeds Civic Hall to allow elected members to mark their support – a striking reminder that this is not just a personal issue, but a public one.
The finale at Old Gipton Fire Station, beginning around 5pm, will be a moment for reflection, recognition and raw expression. Open to the public, the event will feature moving performances and offer space for shared remembrance and renewed commitment.
Hope will not stop travelling once the day ends. Organisers are already shaping a legacy that could include community-led walking routes, artwork across the city, and potential annual events led by third-sector partners.
Leeds residents are encouraged to line the route, attend local events, and follow updates via the Leeds Baton of Hope Facebook page and MindWell website. More than just a day, the Baton of Hope represents an urgent and collective call: to talk openly, act compassionately, and never give up.
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