My motivation to host this began with a deep conviction. As Relationships Director for Inclusion Education, and formerly Head of Inclusion College, I have witnessed the burdens carried by young people facing trauma, disadvantage, and stigma. They often feel unseen, unheard, and alone.
But it’s not just young people. Across all ages, backgrounds, and demographics, there are people who feel they have nowhere to turn, who struggle in silence because they believe no one will understand. The drivers are complex and far-reaching: poverty, unemployment, the pressures of social media, the uncertainty of war, climate crisis, and the devastating impact of funding cuts on essential services.
It touches every demographic, every postcode, every walk of life. This is why hosting the Baton of Hope is so important, because it is not about one group, one cause, or one moment in time.
In 2023, an average of 19 people lost their lives to suicide every single day in the UK, a deeply troubling rise and the highest number of suicide deaths since 1999 (House of Commons Library, 2025).
Suicide is now the leading cause of death among those aged 5–35 in England, a statistic made all the more shocking by the inclusion of children as young as five (Young Minds, 2025). Historically, many official UK definitions of suicide only included individuals aged 10 and above. However, organisations like YoungMinds have broadened the age scope to more accurately reflect the lived realities of children and young people.
Behind every statistic is a life, a parent, a child, a colleague, a neighbour, a friend. These aren’t numbers; they are human stories of loss, grief, and the urgent need for change.
This is deeply personal for me. I carry hope, for those still struggling and for those who feel unseen. Hosting the Baton of Hope is our chance to show that talking about suicide does not cause it, it can prevent it. That listening is powerful. That small acts of compassion can save lives.
Over the past 11 months, more than 90 volunteers, including individuals, community members, and professionals, have poured their energy, time, and compassion into planning and supporting this event. We’ve laughed, cried, and shared our stories, challenging stigma and building connections that matter. These moments have shown me that when people come together for something bigger than themselves, hope becomes contagious.
On Thursday 25th September, the Baton will journey through Basingstoke, beginning on the canal aboard the John Pinkerton Barge. It will then travel through key locations, from train stations to Belvedere House to the Sports Centre, Festival Place, The Tea Bar, and The Orchard, accompanied by local volunteers, mental health advocates, and individuals with lived experience, all united in a day of remembrance, awareness, and hope.