Ravensthorpe Community Centre in Kirklees is set to host the unveiling of the highly anticipated Kirklees Suicide Memorial and Bereavement Quilts Roadshow on Saturday, June 10, at 11 am. This unique event aims to bring together the community and raise awareness about suicide prevention while providing support for those affected by suicide.
The roadshow features hundreds of specially crafted quilts, each representing a heartfelt memorial to individuals who have tragically lost their lives to suicide. The quilts serve as poignant reminders of their legacies and a means of fostering understanding and empathy for those bereaved by suicide.
The Suicide Memorial Quilt comprises individual handmade squares, each one created by someone personally affected by suicide. These heartfelt contributions serve as a testament to the immense love and profound sadness experienced by those left behind. Additionally, the Bereavement Memorial Quilt consists of carefully crafted pieces that honour and celebrate the lives of loved ones lost to suicide.
In addition to the quilt exhibition, the roadshow will also offer a range of activities and resources. Visitors can participate in specialised workshops, listen to guest speakers, receive mental health support, and engage in meaningful conversations surrounding suicide prevention. The organisers hope that these initiatives will help reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, foster connections among individuals facing similar challenges, and alleviate the isolation often experienced by those affected by suicide.
Anna Scott, the Director of Yorkshire Speak Their Name, expressed her appreciation for the quilt as a powerful symbol of the ongoing work required for suicide prevention. She noted the love and sadness embodied in each square, emphasising the importance of continuing efforts to address this pressing issue.
Karen Sykes, another Director of Yorkshire Speak Their Name, acknowledged the unfortunate reality that the quilt will continue to grow as more lives are affected by suicide. However, she highlighted the crucial role the quilt plays in connecting individuals who understand the complexities of this type of loss.
Councillor Musarrat Khan, the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, emphasised the roadshow’s objective to foster unity within the Kirklees community. By providing a platform for sharing personal experiences, the event aims to encourage conversations, diminish stigma, and offer support to those impacted by suicide.
The roadshow invites anyone interested to attend the various drop-in venues listed below to view the quilts and participate in the available activities:
Drop-in Roadshow Venues:
- Ravensthorpe Community Centre
- Address: 24 Garden Street, Ravensthorpe WF13 3AR
- Dates and Times:
- June 10: 11 am – 2.30 pm
- June 11: 11 am – 4 pm
- June 12: 10.30 am – 4 pm
- Brian Jackson House
- Address: 2 New North Parade, Huddersfield HD1 5JP
- Dates and Times:
- June 13: 10.30 am – 3 pm
- June 14: 11 am – 3 pm
- June 15: 11 am – 3 pm
- St James Church
- Address: St James Way, Rawthorpe Lane, Huddersfield HD5 9PB
- Dates and Times:
- June 18: 10 am – 5 pm
- Al-Hikmah Centre
- Address: 28 Track Road, Batley WF17 7AA
- Dates and Times:
- June 19: 10 am – 6 pm
- June 20: 9 am – 4.30 pm
- Huddersfield Sikh Temple
- Address: Prospect Street, Springwood, Huddersfield HD1 2NX
- Dates and Times:
- June 25: 11 am – 5 pm
- Meltham Carlile Institute
- Address: Huddersfield Road, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4AG
- Dates and Times:
- June 26: 10 am – 5 pm
- Trinity Methodist Church Community Rooms
- Address: Trinity Street, Mirfield WF14 8AD
- Dates and Times:
- June 27: 12 pm – 5 pm
- Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque
- Address: 73 Victoria Road, Lockwood, Huddersfield HD1 3RT
- Dates and Times:
- July 5: 10 am – 4.30 pm
- Dewsbury Library
- Address: Railway Street, Dewsbury WF12 8EQ
- Dates and Times:
- July 6: 10 am – 7.30 pm
- July 7: 9.30 am – 5 pm
The roadshow extends its gratitude to prominent local employers such as Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Kirklees College, and Fox’s Biscuits for their support and for displaying the quilts on their premises for staff and visitors.
This roadshow provides an opportunity for the community to come together, appreciate the beauty of the quilts, and actively engage in discussions surrounding mental health and suicide prevention. It serves as a reminder that compassion, understanding, and support can help those affected by suicide on their healing journey.
