Baton of Hope event

On Wednesday 28 June NHS organisations joined together in Weston Park in support of the Baton of Hope campaign, and to share more about the ways the NHS is working to make a difference for children, young people and adults who are struggling with their mental health. The Baton of Hope is the biggest suicide prevention initiative the UK has ever seen and Sheffield – the home of the founder of the cause – is one of many cities that have welcomed the baton during its ongoing summer tour.

Richard Chillery, Sheffield Children’s Non-executive Director, talked about the work Sheffield Children’s is doing to support children and young people, including delivering the healthy minds programme in schools.

Leah Reynolds, a Cystic Fibrosis Service Co-ordinator at Sheffield Children’s, talked about her own personal experiences of suicide. She said, “My beautiful little girl Isla is here today, I have a job that I absolutely love, I’ve just seen Lewis Capaldi in concert and I’m seeing the 1975 this weekend but five years ago I never could have imagined that my life would be like this. Experiencing psychosis, attempting to take my life, and being sectioned was one of the toughest things I have ever experienced and there were moments where I wasn’t sure if I would ever find Leah again. I am so happy to say that – five years later – I have found Leah, and gained so much more. I am now dedicated to helping others who are going through mental health struggles.”

Other NHS speakers at the event included David Crichton from South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, Mark Cobb from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Colin Beresford and Heather Burns from Primary Care Sheffield, and Mel Hall and Jonathan Mitchell from Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Children’s Hospital Charity supporter and retired premier league referee – Uriah Rennie – opened the event with his powerful message about why it is especially important for young people to have safe spaces and relationships where they can talk openly. Uriah later accepted the baton as it arrived in the park via one of the 60+ baton bearers who carried the baton throughout the day.

Twelve cities are involved in the tour and you can read more about it on the Baton of Hope website.