On the 10th September 2025 it is World Suicide Prevention Day as well as for the first time ever the Baton of Hope arrives into the city of Leeds, with one of the handovers in the Joshau Van Leader exhibition space. To celebrate this day we have a range of presentations and events across the day and would love as many people as possible to come to either the full day or selected parts of the day.

Three Eventbrite events have been scheduled for the day — Morning, Afternoon, and Evening sessions. Everyone is welcome to attend as many as they'd like. Feel free to spread the word — we’re aiming for a great turnout!

ALL DAY

Speak Their Name Quilt

Anyone bereaved by suicide can create a memorial square on fabric by embroidery, stitching, painting, or any other artistic route. Each unique square is dedicated to their loved one. The Yorkshire Speak Their Name quilt will be in the Joshua Van Leader – Inspire to Inspire exhibition space from Tuesday 26th August to Friday 6th September and then from Wednesday 10th September (BoH and World Suicide Prevention day) to Friday 19th September.

Anna Scott (Bio)

Anyone bereaved by suicide can create a memorial square on fabric by embroidery, stitching, painting, or any other artistic route. Each unique square is dedicated to their loved one. With all the squares sewn together into a quilt, a beautiful memorial is created.

The idea resonated with countless families, friends and colleagues who have lost a loved one to suicide; through joining a quilt group they became part of a community that supports each other. This may be from knowing that their square is part of a quilt alongside others, or from physically getting together and coming to know others who have suffered the same. There are now suicide memorial quilts across many counties of the UK, with more being created and added to all the time.

The Yorkshire Speak Their Name quilt will be in the Joshua Van Leader - Inspire to Inspire exhibition space from Tuesday 26th August to Friday 6th September and then from Wednesday 10th September (BoH and World Suicide Prevention day) to Friday 19th September.

1:45 PM

Baton of Hope Arrival and Handover

Following the huge success of the very first tour in 2023, the Baton of Hope is working with teams across the UK for an even bigger event in 2025, featuring 20 different cities across the UK. The Baton will arrive in Leeds on the 10th September with a number of Baton holders across a route across the City. One of these baton exchanges will take place in the Joshua Van Leader Inspire to Inspire exhibition space at approximately 1:45 PM.

"The Baton of Hope’ is a true point of light in our country, and it will help to save many lives now and in years to come.”

Baton of Hope Vision and Mission

BoH vision, is to bring change and hope to the world because no one deserves to die by suicide.

BoH mission, belief is that deaths by suicide are preventable, right up until the point of action; and that all of society has a duty of care. Through campaigning, public education and awareness, a series of pledges and lobbying, will create change.

By working with partners, fellow charities and communities BoH will work tirelessly to make suicide prevention a top priority.

2:00 PM

Comfort Break

After the baton handover there will be a short comfort break and time for people to walk round the exhibition.

2:30 PM

Steve Phillip – Navigating the ‘S’ word

Steve delivers impactful and inspiring talks, like this keynote talk; “Navigating the ‘S’ word”, using his own lived experience and insight to help others spot the signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health and how to provide support to those who are feeling suicidal.

Steve Phillip (Bio)

Steve Phillip was a successful leadership & sales coach, corporate speaker, heading towards semi-retirement, when, in December 2019, he received a call that would change his life forever; his 34 year old son, Jordan, had taken his own life.

With a following of more than 60,000 people on LinkedIn, Steve delivers impactful and inspiring talks, like this keynote talk; “Navigating the ‘S’ word”, using his own lived experience and insight to help others spot the signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health and how to provide support to those who are feeling suicidal.

3:30 PM

Josh Sturgeon – MINT (Men in Need Together)

Voices of Resilience: A Poetry & Open Mic Session for Mental HealthJoin us for an inspiring and powerful poetry event where the CONQR community steps forward to share their voices on themes of mental health and suicide awareness. This unique session offers a brave and supportive space for attendees to read their own deeply personal poems, transforming lived experiences into impactful art.

Josh Sturgeon - Founder and CEO of MINT (Bio)

Josh founded MINT in 2018, following the death of his close friend. He oversees the entire MINT operation focusing particularly on partnerships, fundraising and raising awareness of the support groups.

Josh struggled with his mental health for a number of years from being a teenager into his early 20’s. These struggles went unsupported as he didn’t reach out for help which ultimately ended in a suicide attempt which was thankfully unsuccessful.

Having also lost 4 close friends to suicide, Josh is passionate about making sure no man faces their struggles alone anymore.