Month of Hope 2024

The Greater Manchester Month of Hope is held annually between World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10^th September and World Mental Health Day on the 10^th October.

Events take place to increase suicide awareness and promote hope while encouraging connection in communities.

World Suicide Prevention Day – Tuesday 10 September 2024 – 10:30am-12:30pm

A virtual event with guest speakers to inspire and motivate us all to do what we can to prevent suicide. Open to all.

Book your free tickets to the online event.

Suicide Prevention Vigils – 10^th September 2024

A time for collective remembrance for those lost to suicide.

Bury

6pm – Memory Walk from Kay Gardens, Bury to the Suicide Memorial Stone at Castle Leisure Centre Gardens  6.30pm – Guest speakers at the Suicide Memorial Stone and laying of flowers.      7pm – The Fire Choir will be singing songs of hope. Open to all.

Salford

6:30pm- Procession of Remembrance from START venue (M6 5BZ) to Salford Museum & Art Gallery for the vigil. The procession will feature 144 flags, one for each life lost to suicide over the last five years in Salford, carried by their loved ones. (If you would like a loved one’s name added to the roll of remembrance to be read at the vigil, please email their name to *(dennisb@startinspiringminds.org.uk ).  Refreshments will be provided by Salford Council in the Art Gallery after the vigil. All welcome.

Tameside

6.30pm – Vigil will be held by the The Anthony Seddon Fund – Mental Health Peer Support Tameside (tasfund.org.uk) at Stalybridge Celtic Football Club, SK15 2RT.  An informal event to mark World Suicide Prevention Day with support available and information stalls.  8pm- Candlelight vigil to remember those who have died to suicide.

Walks of Hope

Wigan – Sunday 8 September 2024

2pm –  A walk hosted by Epic Hope at Mesnes Park, WN1 1TU (meet at the pavilion).                   Including a paper boat message release at Wigan Pier, followed by a memorial service at Wigan Parish Church, Bishopgate.

Trafford – Wednesday 18 September 2024

1-2pm – Starting from Lancashire County Cricket Club, on Talbot Road outside Gate 1. The walk will go to media city before returning to the cricket ground. Free tea/coffee/biscuits will be provided after the walk in Exec Box 4 based at the Cricket Club.

Stockport – Friday 20 September 2024

10-11am – Accessible walk – Vernon Park, Turncroft Lane, Stockport SK1 4AR with free refreshments until 12pm.

Salford – Thursday 26 September 2024

10-11am – a one hour wellbeing walk at Monton Green, Eccles M30 8AP. All welcome.

Bolton – Thursday 10 October

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Meeting point: Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Spa Road, BL1 4AG

Please arrive 15 minutes before your walk.

Walk Schedules: Two options around Queens Park, starting every hour.

• 11:00 AM: Moderate intensity walk  for young people – Chorley Street, Queens Park (1.9km)
• 12:00 PM: Low-intensity walk for all – Spa Road, Queens Park (1.5km)
• 1:00 PM: Moderate intensity 2^nd walk for young people – Chorley Street, Queens Park (1.9km)
• 2:00 PM: All groups – Chorley Street, Queens Park (1.9km)
• 3:00 PM:  Final walk – Chorley Street, Queens Park (1.9km)

Refreshments: Available throughout.

Further walks throughout the month (Bolton) (10 September – 10 October)

Organisations and teams are encouraged to host a walk and share on social media using the hashtags #WalkOfHope #BoltonWalkOfHope.

A final walk will take place 10th of October finishing in Bolton Town Centre.

To register a walk visit this link Bolton Walk Of Hope (office.com)

Speak Their Name Greater Manchester Suicide Memorial Quilt

Wigan

9th–15^th September- Leigh Town Hall in the Archives section.

16^th-22^nd September- Wigan Central library.                                                                                                                                                                                     Supported by local SOBS groups, Greater Manchester Bereavement Service and Wigan Samaritans with quilt making sessions hosted by Project Linus.

(1000 yellow and orange crocheted or knitted flowers will be left in public places across Wigan and accompanied with a Month of Hope card).

Oldham

23^rd September to the 10^th October – Oldham Art Gallery

Festival of Hope – 10^th October- Wigan

Contact Rebuild With Hope (rbwhfoundation.org)  who are hosting the event for more information.

Bereavement Support

The Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death, no matter the cause or how long ago.

They are open Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays). Call 0161 983 0902 or email gmicb-sal.gm.bs@nhs

Support for people feeling suicidal

Anyone can experience suicidal thoughts and it can feel hard to know how to talk to someone.

If you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you’re not alone. Visit Shining a Light on Suicide for more information.

You can also call Samaritans free at any time on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

Support in a mental health crisis

If you feel that you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent support, or you’re concerned about a loved one, neighbour, friend or family member, call the Mental Health Crisis helpline.

They are open day and night, 365 days per year.

• If you live in Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford or Wigan, call 0800 953 0285.
• If you live in Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop call 0800 014 9995.

No matter what you are experiencing, there are services in your local area to help you when you are struggling.

If you’re feeling suicidal and need help, find local support.

Training

Suicide affects us all and it can feel hard to know how to support someone who you think might thinking of suicide. Zero Suicide Alliance have created free online training to give you the skills you need to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. The training only takes 20 minutes.

Gain skills and confidence to recognise the signs and speak to someone who may be thinking of suicide.

Access the training.