Baton of Hope Tour Passes Through Leeds on Suicide Prevention Day

Baton of Hope Tour Passes Through Leeds on Suicide Prevention Day

September 17, 2026 Off By

Leeds hosts national suicide prevention initiative with community involvement

The Baton of Hope suicide prevention tour arrived in Leeds on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day. The tour, which has been travelling across the UK, featured 84 baton bearers, all of whom have been bereaved or affected by suicide. The baton was carried along a 24-kilometre route across Leeds, from the west to the east of the city, to raise awareness of suicide and promote messages of hope.

Route and participation

The baton set off from Bramley at approximately 9.15am and travelled through Armley, New Wortley, and Holbeck. It then passed through Leeds city centre, including Leeds Train Station and City Square, reaching Millennium Square by 12.10pm. The route continued eastwards, passing St James’s Hospital, through Wykebeck at around 4.45pm, and into Gipton by 5.15pm.

Members of the public were encouraged to come out and support the baton bearers either by greeting them at key points along the route or by walking alongside them to show solidarity. A map highlighting the route and key locations was made available to facilitate public engagement.

Associated events and exhibitions

Leeds hosted the Baton of Hope tour for the first time, with local organisations including Leeds City Council, Touchstone, and Leeds Mind involved in organising the event. Alongside the tour, a range of events took place throughout the day to mark the occasion.

One notable exhibition was held at Moda in New York Square, Quarry Hill, featuring artwork, fashion design, and poetry by the late Joshua Van Leader, a Leeds native who died by suicide in 2022. Joshua, a former Leeds United Academy player and artist, had created an extensive collection of work aimed at supporting mental health awareness. His exhibition ran until 30 September.

The exhibition also displayed the Yorkshire Speak Their Name Quilt, composed of memorial squares dedicated to those lost to suicide. This quilt was on show until 19 September.

Additional activities

  • Musical and theatre performances
  • Information stalls providing mental health resources
  • A Mindful Employer network conference focusing on suicide prevention in the workplace
  • An evening finale event for baton bearers and supporters

A special song titled “Here I’m Staying,” recorded by the men’s songwriting group from Being You Leeds, was released to mark the event. It is available to listen to online via Bandcamp at https://barcabylmensgroup.bandcamp.com/track/here-im-staying.

Statements from organisers

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, expressed pride in Leeds hosting the tour for the first time and highlighted the importance of raising awareness and breaking stigma around suicide. She encouraged residents to support the baton bearers and unite as a city to remember those lost to suicide.

Hannah Wild, head of crisis services at Touchstone, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to suicide prevention and the hope that the Baton of Hope would encourage people to seek support when needed.

Support and resources

Further information about the Baton of Hope tour in Leeds, including the route and associated events, is available at https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/baton-of-hope-leeds-2025.

Additional mental health support resources include:

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