Memorial Quilt To Be Displayed On The Island

A Memorial Quilt to raise awareness of people with living experience of suicide and bereavement arrived on the Island today (Monday). 

The Speak Their Name Memorial Quilt will be on display at Aspire in Ryde High Street for two weeks from Monday 25 November to 6 December 2024 and will then return to The Minister in Newport between 6 January and 24 January 2025. 

The Quilt is made up of squares, each of which has been created by somebody affected by suicide across the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth.

The project has been organised by Beeb Deacon and Lara Kynvin, who have both been impacted by suicide and are members of Voices, a group of people who all have living experience of suicide.

Lara and Beeb invited people to sew, draw, paint or print something that was meaningful or captured the essence of the person.

They have been supported in financing and administration of the project by the charity Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) and Creatful CIC.

Cllr Debbie Andre, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Public Health said:

“This Quilt is an important reminder about the importance of mental health. Suicide has a profound effect on family, friends and the local community and each death is a tragedy.”

“We continue to work with the community on the Island to highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing, with an approach that sees statutory agencies, the voluntary sector and others working together to prevent suicide.

“This begins with a conversation around mental health and knowing that help is available, including for people affected by suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out. You are not alone’.”

Councillor Michael Lilley, Isle of Wight Council’s Mental Health Champion says:

“There are families in Ryde who are grieving over the unexpected loss of their loved ones in the past year and now. Their grief is traumatic and painful.

“It is important for us to reach out to them and make sure they get the help and support they need such as the bereavement service at Mountbatten Hospice and specialist bereavement due to suicide support offered by Amparo.

“Support in Ryde is also available at Aspire and Men Only. The Quilt is a good way to demonstrate we share their loss and make sure their loved one’s death leads to others being prevented from dying in the future.”

If you or someone you know needs support, please contact:

• If someone is at immediate risk of harm call NHS Emergency 999

If not an emergency:

• Call: NHS Advice and Guidance 111
• Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/branches/isle-of-wight/
• Call 116 123

• Text SHOUT to 85258 — A free text messaging service which provides 24/7 support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis

• Amparo for support for those bereaved by suicide https://amparo.org.uk/
• Call 0330 089 9255

• See: Papyrus UK https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ - Providing help and hope for young people with thoughts of suicide.

Local support:

• Safe Haven - 7 High Street, Newport PO30 1SS Monday to Friday, 5pm until 10pm; weekends and bank holidays, 12 noon until 10pm.

Call: (01983) 520168

Email: [email protected]

If you are under 18 years:

• Space 4U

Call 07741 665182 and speak to during opening hours /  02380 224 224 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Email: [email protected]