Hope is Spreading: Tour Locations Launch Suicide Prevention ‘Hubs’
Four regional groups of The Baton of Hope based across the UK will also help to support the charity’s work and bring together local communities.
The Baton of Hope is proud to announce that four new Hope ‘hubs’ are being set up across the UK to help promote the suicide prevention cause and bring together communities that want to stand up to suicide.
Groups originally set up to take part in our UK Tours and host their respective locations during our biennial event are now becoming permanent fixtures. The aim of these local community arms of The Baton of Hope will be to help create a legacy beyond the Tours themselves and unite those either directly affected by suicide, or anyone who wants to raise awareness around suicide prevention. They will also support their local communities and promote the charity’s pledges and national campaigns.
A pilot scheme for the national project has been running successfully in Sheffield for the past two years and now, in a major step forward for our charity, other locations are hoping to follow in the city’s footsteps.
Basingstoke, Blackpool, Kent & Medway and North Lincolnshire have signed up to a collaborative agreement aimed at extending the impact of The Baton of Hope Tours.
Jayne Walsham, one of the Trustees at The Baton of Hope who has been leading on this project, said: “When we have visited a region during our Tours, we don’t just want to visit it for one day and never return. We want The Baton of Hope to remain in that town, city or area. We want to keep on collaborating with everyone that has been involved in the Tours and continue the important work of suicide awareness and prevention that took place in each location.
“It’s so important to us as a charity to create a community involving our Project Leads, Baton Bearers, the VSCE community, anyone that took part in previous Tours and anyone who lives in that region. We hope one day these ‘hubs’ will be all across the UK and beyond to help create resilience, especially for those who have been impacted by suicide.”
HopeBasingstoke
Hope Basingstoke will be managed by Inclusion Education, an education charity that supports young people with mental health & additional learning needs within their local community. Basingstoke was one of the locations involved in our 2025 Tour.
Marie Greenhalgh, Relationships Director at Inclusion Education, said: “Last year, I made a promise to Basingstoke, to keep hope alive long after the Baton had passed. Collaborating with The Baton of Hope is how that promise becomes action. What grew through nearly a year of careful planning for the Tour has continued long after, evolving into a movement grounded in connection, compassion, and courage.
“Working alongside The Baton of Hope feels like a profound privilege, because together we are not just raising awareness, we are creating safe spaces for conversation, strengthening community bonds, and showing people they are not alone. This partnership is about turning hope into something lasting, visible, and alive in everyday lives.”
HopeBlackpool
Hope Blackpool will be managed by Empowerment Charity, which works across the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre areas. The charity has made a long-term commitment to supporting local communities and improving lives. Blackpool was the first location on our Tour last year.
Sam Southern, who manages the Solace Suicide Prevention and Bereavement service at Empowerment, said: “We are truly honoured to be part of the lasting legacy in Blackpool as part of these ‘hubs’. Collaboration is a vital component of suicide prevention, and as a community, we are committed to ensuring this isn’t just a one-stop Tour. This initiative ties in beautifully with the legacy of The Baton of Hope Blackpool Tour 2025, continuing to bring people together.”
HopeKent & Medway
Alice Scutchey, who was the Project Lead for the Kent & Medway leg of our 2025 Tour, said: “Following the incredible support and impact we saw when The Baton of Hope came to Kent & Medway last September, it felt like a natural (and important!) next step to build on that momentum and create a legacy here.
“Establishing Hope Kent & Medway will allow us to continue those important conversations, champion the vital work of suicide prevention in the community and to support our local people.”
HopeNorth Lincolnshire
Farzana Khanum, who will lead Hope North Lincolnshire, is a Public Health Manager specifically focused on Mental Health & Wellbeing & Suicide Prevention at North Lincolnshire Council. She was the Project Lead for North Lincolnshire during our 2025 Tour.
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