We are proudly taking part in this year's Greater Manchester Month of Hope, a dedicated campaign aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding suicide.
Thousands of people take their own lives every year, while many more have attempted to end their life or are struggling with harmful thoughts.
According to research however, one of the biggest ways we can help to save people’s lives is by talking honestly about suicide and discussing the problems we face more openly before we feel it has become too late.
Greater Manchester’s Month of Hope, now in its fifth year, helps to address these solutions by encouraging local people to play a more active role in preventing suicide through dedicated activities and events held across the city region, including Oldham.
Month of Hope events in Oldham
Launch event
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oldham’s Month of Hope launch event |
Tuesday 10 September |
2—4pm |
Oldham Library |
Further details
Join us in Oldham Library for the launch of this year’s Month of Hope, as we provide residents with a safe space to have informal chats and discussions with local support services regarding your health and wellbeing. Services attending on the day will include Action Together, TOG Mind, Action Together and other relevant council services and partners.
'Speak Their Name'
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Speak Their Name’ Greater Manchester Suicide Memorial Quilt | Tuesday 24 September to Wednesday 9 October | Tuesday, 10am—5pm Wednesday, 10am—5pm Thursday, 10am—5pm Friday, 10am—5pm Saturday, 10am—5pm |
Gallery Oldham Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL |
Further details
Head over to Gallery Oldham and view a special exhibition titled ‘Speak Their Name’. As part of this display, come and view Greater Manchester’s Suicide Memorial Quilt, a unique piece of art made up of 54 individual squares that have each lovingly been created by someone bereaved by suicide.
Quilting has a long history of storytelling and calling for change, with quilt, which was first unveiled at Manchester Art Gallery in 2020, aims to help raise awareness of the impact that losing a loved one to suicide has.
Walk of Hope
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk of Hope | Saturday 5 October | 9—10am |
Alexandra Park |
Further details
Stretch your legs and grab some fresh air with Oldham’s Walk of Hope around Alexandra Park. Here you will have the opportunity to have a chat with people from TOG Mind, Action Together and other dedicated professionals about health and wellbeing.
You can also just come along to enjoy the surroundings, as we take a stroll around one of Oldham’s most loved green spaces.
You can also access a variety of training now and throughout the Month of Hope via the Shining a Light on Suicide website. This includes ‘An introduction to suicide awareness’ and ‘Autism Suicide Awareness Training’.
Other events will be taking place across Greater Manchester during the Month of Hope. For a full breakdown of what is taking place, please visit www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk.
What support is available?
It’s important to know that whatever circumstances you are going through, there is always someone to talk to.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and need someone to talk to, call Samaritans’ 24/7 phone line on 116 123. If you feel you can’t keep yourself safe, call someone or 999 in an emergency.
You may feel comfortable in speaking with a friend, family member, or work colleague too, while your GP can also refer you to NHS mental health services or a local crisis team. If it’s out of hours, call NHS 111.
If you have lost someone through suicide and you would like bereavement support, you can contact Samaritans.
For more information, please visit https://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/