00:00 We're at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield today for the very first Batten of Hope conference
00:07 really tackling suicide prevention.
00:09 Yes, it's a groundbreaking event and it was inspired by co-founder Mike McCarthy after
00:15 he lost his son, Ross, to suicide three years ago.
00:19 Can you tell me what today's all about, Mike?
00:21 Yes, it's our first conference.
00:23 As you say, we're a relatively young charity.
00:27 The theme, the title of today's conference is Making Suicide Prevention Everyone's Business.
00:33 And basically we're trying to get across the message that this doesn't happen to other
00:37 people.
00:38 Nobody is immune.
00:41 And the good thing, the uplifting thing about the whole area of suicide prevention is that
00:47 we all have the power to generate hope and that is so important.
00:52 Hundreds of people are arriving and are coming into the venue here and what do you hope that
00:59 they take away from the day?
01:02 I think it is the fact that this is to do with everybody.
01:07 As I say, everybody has it within them to save lives.
01:13 I used to think that suicide, and how often we say this, that suicide has affected other
01:20 people until it happened to me and my son and our family.
01:26 We lost our beloved son, Ross.
01:29 But since then I've discovered and I've learned so much.
01:32 Even simple things like smiling to a friend or a stranger, sending that extra text to
01:38 your mate saying, "Are you really okay?"
01:41 What can we expect from today?
01:43 We're already halfway through and you've had some fantastic speakers so far.
01:47 Yes, well we've had you two fantastic people as well.
01:49 So thank you very much.
01:51 It's a real range of events today, as you say, really influential, inspirational speakers.
02:00 We've got live entertainment, there's a play on later, there's a charity village and we
02:06 just want people to take away from today that it's a hard subject to tackle but we have
02:14 to tackle it.
02:16 Today has been primarily not about death and despair but about life and hope.
02:20 And you had a Baton of Hope tour last year that went round 12 cities ending up in Downing
02:26 Street.
02:27 You're going to probably tell me to mind my own business but I think there might be an
02:31 announcement before the end of the conference today about what may be happening in the future.
02:36 Mind your own business.
02:37 Thanks very much.
02:38 Mike McCarthy there, the co-founder of Baton of Hope.
02:40 If you want any more details, if you want help and support, please go to the Baton of
02:44 Hope website.
02:45 We have been honoured and privileged to take part in the day and please, let's all do this
02:51 together.
02:52 It's everyone's business.
02:53 Well done Mike.
02:54 I just want to say a personal thank you.
02:58 I know about all the work that you've done that goes uncovered, unrecognised and I just
03:04 wanted to mark that.
03:07 But just tell us first of all, if you would, Will, why is it?
03:10 Why did you get involved?
03:12 What's the personal motivation for you?
03:13 Yeah, I guess it boils down to sadly I lost my grandad Tom in 2006 to suicide and then
03:23 less than 18 months later I lost my other grandad Hal, so both my parents' fathers to
03:28 suicide also.
03:29 And it was a chance to meet him with yourself, wasn't it, at a talk club event.
03:34 And then from there I just felt like, you know, this is something that with the platform
03:37 I have I should probably get behind.
03:39 I can speak about it as honestly and openly as possible because I've been through it.
03:42 I've done some work with other charities where it's been great and I've loved helping but
03:48 I haven't shared that experience.
03:50 Well, I've shared this experience.
03:52 I know what it feels like to lose people to suicide so I thought it was important that,
03:58 you know what, step up and try and share my story and hopefully save some lives.
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