Hereford Leisure Pool Welcomes the Baton of Hope

A day of awareness, support, and togetherness at Hereford Leisure Pool.

On Thursday 2nd October, Hereford Leisure Pool will be proud to host a very special stop on the Baton of Hope UK Tour – the country’s largest suicide prevention initiative, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and working towards a zero-suicide society.

The Baton of Hope is travelling across the UK, carried from person to person, symbolising hope, unity, and a commitment to better mental health support. We are honoured that two of our own team members, Charlie Watkins and Andy Mogg, will be representing Halo Leisure by taking part in this incredible movement. They will change over the baton at Hereford Leisure Pool at approximately 12.30pm, as part of the scheduled route through Hereford.

Supporting Mental Health in Our Community

To mark this important day, Hereford Leisure Pool will be hosting a range of activities designed to bring our community together in support of mental health and suicide prevention:

• Cupcake Sale – Thanks to a generous donation from Sian at Queen of Tarts Bakes, cupcakes will be on sale, with all funds donated to Andy’s Man Club (Hereford Branch), a local men’s mental health charity that provides vital peer-to-peer support.

• Orange Button Scheme Promotion – Trained Halo staff will be on-site to promote the Orange Button scheme, a suicide prevention initiative that helps people easily identify those who are trained and able to talk about mental health support.

• Halo Goodies Giveaway – As part of the event, visitors can also pick up some free Halo goodies as a thank-you for supporting this important cause.

Why This Matters

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the UK, yet conversations around mental health can still carry stigma. The Baton of Hope campaign is about breaking down those barriers and making sure nobody feels they have to struggle alone. By taking part, Hereford Leisure Pool and the wider Halo Leisure community are standing together to say: it’s okay to talk, and support is always here.

Join Us and Show Your Support

We’d love to see as many people as possible join us at Hereford Leisure Pool on Thursday 2nd October around 12.30pm to support the Baton of Hope handover, enjoy some cupcakes, and learn more about the initiatives helping make our communities stronger and healthier.

To find out more about the Baton of Hope movement, visit: www.batonofhopeuk.org

Together, we can spread hope, raise awareness, and take another step towards a future free from suicide.

Need Support Right Now?

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t go through it alone. Help and support are always available:

• Samaritans – Call 116 123 for free, any time, day or night, or visit www.samaritans.org.

• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit www.mind.org.uk for mental health advice and support.

• Andy’s Man Club – Free peer-to-peer support groups for men. Find your nearest group at www.andysmanclub.co.uk.

You are not alone. Reaching out is the first step towards support, hope, and recovery.

Photo by Cameron M-Hill Photography