A Day to Remember: Speak Their Name and the Baton of Hope

Gosh, what an emotional day on what was #worldmentalhealthday2025.

I was invited to London to support Speak Their Name CIO, who has brought together 19 incredible memorial quilts, representing around 800 people who died by suicide. These quilts are now displayed in Parliament’s Upper Waiting Hall, a poignant and powerful space that every MP passes through on their way to Committee Rooms.

The Baton of Hope UK began its London journey from there, and although I hadn’t planned to, I decided to walk with it. What an unforgettable experience. Along the way, I meet other bereaved families, each carrying their own story of love and loss.

Then, unexpectedly, I was offered the chance to carry the baton myself. Even as I write this, I feel emotional, thinking about it. The baton was heavier than I expected, but not too heavy, enough to remind you of its meaning. Andrea Sparke, one of the trustees (whom I’d only met that day), gently said to me, “Think of Jools as you walk.” And I did, fighting back tears while walking past Buckingham Palace. It was an honour beyond words. Thank you. 

I also loved learning about the baton’s design, the interlocking shapes symbolising people holding one another up. That feels so true of this journey through grief and advocacy: we lift each other, often with nothing more than a hug and a mutual understanding of the pain of loss.

During the event, I also learnt about the Baton of Hope Workplace Pledge, which every organisation should know about. It’s a simple but powerful commitment to:

- Remove the stigma around mental health in the workplace

- Increase awareness of suicide

- Improve understanding and save lives

- Make suicide awareness, support and prevention a workplace priority

👉You can pledge your company to do this here

In the words of Steve Phillip's from The Jordan Legacy CIC 

Let's "Move towards a society that is willing and able to do all it can to prevent all preventable suicides through collaboration, education and awareness.”