Suicide Prevention Day is such an important date for us, as this is the belief that drives us: suicide is preventable.
The ‘what ifs’ and ‘if onlys’ are the things that keep me awake at night and take the pleasure out of the here and now, but they’re the lessons I, and every other parent bereaved by suicide, have learned, so that you don’t have to.
The Bottle Kiln was a fantastic venue for conversation, for the sharing of survival stories, and for the passing on of the best self-care. We really are grateful for the people we met during the two days, and are humbled by their honesty and trust.
The Bottle Kiln was also a fantastic venue for our Creative Arts Exhibition. WTF, the Central England Co-operative, Spiral Arts and the YMCA, came together to encourage young people to be creative, in the running of workshops and in the submission of pieces of art that reflected a positive response to the pandemic.
At a workshop hosted by Spiral Arts and the YMCA, young people decorated vinyl records with messages of positivity and hope. A by product of the workshop was conversation – people sharing their thoughts and feelings: ‘It’s why talking fixes’ in action! All of this art work was displayed at the Bottle Kiln.
We were also proud to exhibit the submissions from individual young people, from as far afield as Swadlincote and Evesham!
The exhibition can be seen this Saturday at Derby Lodge, Shipley Park, and at various venues to be announced. Keep looking out for dates!
And if you are a young person, get creating. There’s still time to paint, sculpt, draw, collage. You can submit art work in any medium and any size. Please email for posting details.
