The Baton of Hope came to Brighton!
On July 5th,
8foldGovernance sponsored a remarkable event in Brighton as part of the
Baton of Hope national tour, helping to raise awareness of suicide prevention. On Wednesday, this tour came to Brighton on the penultimate day before heading to Downing Street in London.
Suicide is a deeply saddening and tragic loss of life. It’s a topic that affects many people worldwide, including within our own company. The loss of a loved one to suicide brings a unique kind of grief and highlights the importance of supporting individuals during their darkest moments, helping to find even a glimmer of hope.
The Baton of Hope initiative is led by inspiring individuals who have personally experienced the loss of loved ones and are determined to make a difference by raising the profile of suicide prevention. Their mission is to train people to ask the right questions and provide “mental health first aid” to those in need. While it may not always succeed, every effort counts in supporting those who are struggling.
The day started at the Baton of Hope Business Leaders Breakfast on the Rockwater Rooftop Restaurant where we heard from a range of inspiring guest speakers including founder of Baton of Hope, Mike McCarthy, Leon Taylor, Silver Diving Olympic Medalist, with live music from Becky Briggs and BIMM. However, it was Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn – award-winning mental health campaigners, who had everyone’s hearts dropping as they shared their real-life story about, ‘
The Stranger on the Bridge” – reliving the unfortunate event back in 2008 that brought them together on Waterloo Bridge in London, as Jonny sadly considered taking his own life.
As events continued throughout the day, we met Brighton midfielder Solly March, before ending at the Brighton Dome where we were privileged to sponsor an “Evening of Hope”, bringing together powerful performers in a safe and unifying space to connect communities and offer hope. The event was hosted by comedian and podcaster,
Cally Beaton, who did a wonderful job keeping us entertained while helping to keep the conversation going and reducing the stigma around suicide. Cecillia Knapp – poet, novelist and the Young People’s Laureate for London (2020-21), shared a beautiful poem about her brother whom she also sadly lost to suicide, and we were entertained by the unforgettable M.Kudo, Cherry Bomb and the wonderful Sweet & Lowdown, among others.
Suicide Prevention Training
But, suicide awareness and suicideprevention doesn’t end after the Baton of Hope. As part of our ongoing commitment to suicide prevention, 8foldGovernance has decided to offer 90-minute suicide prevention training for all our clients. This training will enable them to look out for one another in the fast-paced world of digital health startups and SMEs. We believe it’s crucial to create an environment where individuals feel supported and valued, as the pressures of work can sometimes easily manifest into mental health challenges. I have personally witnessed a tragic suicide in a former company, where the work environment and toxic culture made it feel almost inevitable. That needs to stop.
In order to deliver this training effectively, we have partnered with
Rose Rowkins, Baton of Hope lead and Founder of
Start the Conversation. Rose is an expert in up-skilling individuals about suicide prevention. She gives people the confidence to talk about suicide, helping them to have a compassionate conversation and save a life. We are dedicated to funding her work so that those involved in the digital health technology field can receive the necessary training and support they need.
This is just the beginning of our efforts and we will continue to prioritise and support suicide prevention as a company. It is a cause close to our hearts that has affected far too many lives, and we believe that even our small contribution can make a significant impact. Together, we can create a supportive and compassionate environment where individuals can find hope and help in their darkest moments.
To take up this great offer, please reach out to us at info@8foldgovernance.com.
#DontLoseHope
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