Torbay has been selected to host the South West leg of the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative, The Baton of Hope.

Sadly, an estimated 2,700 local residents are impacted by suicide each year in Torbay. This is significantly higher than the national average, and we want to do as much as we can to bring that figure down.

On the 30th September, more than 100 local people, who are influential mental health advocates, will be carrying the Baton (think flameless Olympic torch) in a walking relay from Torquay to Paignton, into Brixham and then back across the water to Torquay.

Our aim, in the lead up to and throughout the day, is to promote better mental health across The Bay, raise awareness of the impact of suicide and spread a message of hope, with a focus on establishing a legacy for future generations.

To help us spread the word, we are organising a series of events across The Bay, including a grand finale gala show at the Riviera Centre in Torquay.

We have also set up this page to collect funds administered by Torbay Communities for a local legacy suicide prevention grant pot so that we can support grassroots activity here in the Bay in the future.

We want the Baton of Hope to be more than an impactful one-day event, so we have set up this page to collect funds for a local legacy suicide prevention grant pot. Torbay Communities are hosting this page on behalf of the Torbay Suicide Prevention Partnership This is so we can support grassroots activity that promotes good mental health and helps prevent suicides now and in the future. As an example, previous suicide prevention grant pots have funded these projects:

You’re support means that these types of local projects can continue or new projects can grow.