A symbolic baton representing mental wellbeing will be carried through Leeds for the first time later this year as part of a special UK-wide tour to inspire hope through action in suicide prevention.
The city has been chosen as one of 20 locations to host the ‘Baton of Hope’ on its tour in September to October to raise awareness and challenge stigma around suicide.
The baton will stop in Leeds on Wednesday 10 September 2025 – coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day – and organisers are inviting anyone affected or bereaved by suicide to apply now to be ‘baton bearers’ on its journey through the city.
The baton was devised by suicide prevention charity Baton of Hope UK, as a parallel icon to the Olympic torch, but one that celebrated mental health rather than physical wellbeing.
One of the original co-founders of Baton of Hope UK is Steve Phillip, whose son Jordan was living in Leeds when he died by suicide on 4 December 2019 at the age of 34.
Steve, of Harrogate, went on to set up The Jordan Legacy in his memory, a community interest company (CIC) which campaigns for a zero suicide society.
It was through his campaigning work that he met fellow Baton of Hope UK co-founder Mike McCarthy, who lost his son Ross, 31, to suicide in 2021.
Steve, who has since stepped back from Baton of Hope UK to focus on his work with The Jordan Legacy, said:
“Given Jordan’s connection with Leeds, it feels particularly poignant that the baton will be coming to the city and I’m very much looking forward to supporting this amazing initiative.
“Together, we can make a real difference when it comes to preventing all preventable suicides in the UK.”
The tour itself will see the Baton of Hope – created by Thomas Lyte, official gold and silversmiths to the FA cup – passed between volunteers as part of a relay through the city, visiting different spaces, communities, venues and events.
Leeds City Council is working closely with the charity, and partners across Leeds, in organising the day as a key supporter of the city’s leg of the tour.
Reducing suicide and the stigma around it is a priority in Leeds, with working to make this a mentally heathy city named as a key objective in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2030.
The most recent data by the Office for National Statistics shows the three-year average suicide rate in Leeds for 2021-2023 was 11.6 per 100,000 people – higher than the England average rate of 10.7.
The council also commissions the Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service, for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:
“We’re honoured to have been chosen to host the Baton of Hope tour and help raise awareness of this important issue.
“Every suicide death leaves behind family, friends, colleagues and communities shattered by the loss.
“We have a long-term commitment to suicide prevention in Leeds and this tour is an incredibly moving way to show the strength of feeling in the city to reduce the number of people dying by suicide and remind us that no-one is alone – help is out there for those in need.”
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said:
“We’re so proud to be hosting this iconic tour in Leeds this year and hope it will be provide an inspirational opportunity for people to come together and show our city-wide commitment to promoting positive mental health and reducing stigma around suicide.
“Having suicide survivors and those bereaved by suicide in Leeds involved in carrying the baton will be a powerful way to honour their own survival or memory of a lost loved one and I would encourage anyone interested to apply now through Baton of Hope UK.”
People can apply to carry the baton through the charity’s website at batonofhopeuk.org/become-a-baton-bearer before the deadline of 31 January.
For up-to-date details on support services available in Leeds visit suicidepreventionwestyorkshire.co.uk/support/leeds.
The mental health website for Leeds, Mindwell, also contains a range of support and resources. Visit www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk.
Andy’s Man Club meets every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at 7pm at Vale Circles Centre, Tunstall Road, Beeston, LS11 5JF; and Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet, LS10 1EF.
Call Samaritans on 116 123 any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
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