Dawn Hardman

10/09/2026

World Su***de Prevention Day .
Today - as every year - we gathered to show hope and compassion. Today in Blackburn and Darwen hundreds and hundreds of people gathered ( I think there were maybe 15 at our first ?) in solidarity.
It began in Darwen with beautiful, authentic speech’s by the magnificent Si D ( not letting me tag you ?) and Anthony Shaw and then around 100 community members walked towards Blackburn for the vigil and other parts of the days events . They walked with banners made by the community over the last 7 years . With flags . With compassion and with hope . We met them outside Blackburn Town hall with music , cheers , applause and tears of connection . In the town centre we had been hosting stalls with information around su***de prevention and I know that our Team alone spoke to 13 people struggling with su***de and many more affected by it .
There were additional speeches ( please see previous posts for a full “ roll call “ of speakers ) by gorgeous humans and within those - a huge thanks given to two men . Tony Cox and Tony Harrison . Indeed Si also raised them up Darwen side 💛 these two men helped set up BwD’s WSPD events alongside a few others and that group has grown hugely . Those two men also worked and volunteered with PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de across the UK and meant so much to many of us They passed some years ago now but walk beside us every single day .
Su***de is everybody’s business and it is only together that we can hope to make positive change. It’s bigger than any individual , any organisation and certainly worth more than one days stigma smashing and awareness raising .
Ego has no place here . Tokenism or tick boxes are not welcome .
Authentic connections are .
I want to thanks every single person who showed up today but more so - those who show up every day .
I want to say a huge thank you to those beautiful Earth angels who supported our stall today . Your manning of the stall , the tree of hope , the packing up , the brews ! But more so the love you showed to the people who approached us to talk .
It’s a Team . It’s always “ we not me “ and without each other , we are lost .
Thank you 💛 truly . You matter 💛

09/09/2026

For anyone local to Blackburn with Darwen .
Please join us tomorrow as we join in solidarity and hope on World Su***de Prevention Day 💛

This 10th September- as we do every year - we gather as an active community in su***de awareness , prevention and in empowerment.

Many of us have been touched by su***de and because of stigma , shame , pain and many more reasons - we don’t realise just how common su***de is because of the silence which often surrounds it .

No longer . We reject the silence and we know that it is only together , that we can effectively challenge su***de prevention and intervention.

Please see all slides for details and use the QR code or links in comments to book a place on the walk from Darwen ( starts at 10am) to Blackburn ( two stops - one at Blackburn Rovers and another at Cathedral Square ) which ends outside Blackburn Town Hall.
There will be a marketplace of hope there filled with organisations who can offer support , information and training opportunities in addition to genuine support on the day for all who attend .

You will notice at all stages wonderful people who are wearing yellow sashes and an orange button .
Those people have successfully completed world leading su***de intervention training such as safeTALK or ASIST .

They are able to ask , listen and signpost people to appropriate services in a safe and boundaried manner. These volunteers will also be supported on the day 🟠💛

We also remember in speeches both ends of our Borough two outstanding founding members of BwD su***de prevention and WSPD .

Mr Tony Cox and Mr Tony Harrison .

Both huge voices in su***de prevention locally and nationally . Both have passed away due to natural causes over the last few years but we honour their commitment and authenticity every day .

So ! See you tomorrow!

Because su***de is everybody’s business and hope and action are with us every day .

***deprevention

08/09/2026

This matters .

When a long standing organisation such as Papyrus go’s into liquidation we need to take notice .

It’s easy to see charities and NFP/CIC’s and judge . To blame the organisation. To blame the “ business model “ .
However I’d like us to see things from a different angle please .

Papyrus have supported thousands and thousands of children , young people and care providers beautifully for decades . They have been leaders . Champions . An organisation filled with passionate and compassionate people. People are alive today because of those people and the provisions .

When we loose yet another third sector organisational- especially one as large as well valued as this - it shouts to us as a community.

What are we doing wrong which means charities etc are folding every week on this sector?

We know that were it not for the third sector , service provision would be not just on its knees but in the cellar. We should not be relying on the third sector to provide such pivotal support and yet we do .

So what now ? When will be the point where we all stand up and shout “ enough “

When will we properly support mental wellbeing and mental health ? When will support early intervention ? We’ve known for decades that most mental illness begins in childhood and early adolescence.

It’s WSPD in two days .

Use your voice

Others are loosing theirs.

08/09/2026

This matters .

When a long standing organisation such as Papyrus go’s into liquidation we need to take notice .

It’s easy to see charities and NFP/CIC’s and judge . To blame the organisation. To blame the “ business model “ .
However I’d like us to see things from a different angle please .

Papyrus have supported thousands and thousands of children , young people and care providers beautifully for decades . They have been leaders . Champions . An organisation filled with passionate and compassionate people. People are alive today because of those people and the provisions .

When we loose yet another third sector organisational- especially one as large as well valued as this - it shouts to us as a community.

What are we doing wrong which means charities etc are folding every week on this sector?

We know that were it not for the third sector , service provision would be not just on its knees but in the cellar. We should not be relying on the third sector to provide such pivotal support and yet we do .

So what now ? When will be the point where we all stand up and shout “ enough “

When will we properly support mental wellbeing and mental health ? When will support early intervention ? We’ve known for decades that most mental illness begins in childhood and early adolescence.

It’s WSPD in two days .

Use your voice

Others are loosing theirs.

07/09/2026

Last week we gathered in Blackburn Town Hall to hold a SafeTALK ( su***de alertness for everyone) training session - linked with this weeks World Su***de Prevention Day . A special group who held insight , compassion and a determination to ensure that su***de prevention is a daily practice and belongs to everyone.
A huge thank you to every delegate and to our amazing community connector .miss.carla . We now have even more Orange Button Community Scheme members 🟠. A great start to a weeks build up to WSPD 💛
***depreventionday🎗

05/09/2026

See you there 💛

Su***de prevention is everybody's business 💛

On Thursday 10 September, we're coming together for a Walk of Hope from Darwen to Blackburn to mark World Su***de Prevention Day 2026.

Every step we take helps raise awareness, reduce stigma and show that no one has to face difficult times alone.

Whether you're joining the full walk or meeting us near Blackburn Cathedral, we'd love to see you there.

📍 Darwen Market Square
🕙 10:00am

🔗 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=4z_73MnpOkKh2hSKSzouYMSeZaiEGGpIvsYZOEIom0VUNzBOVUxTTk1CNVdXVTFGSE5SODlFS0JCRC4u&route=shorturl

For more information on the day click:
https://bewellbwd.com/a-z-services/mental-health-support-in-blackburn-with-darwen/world-su***de-prevention-day/

***dePreventionDay

04/09/2026

A huge thanks to our community for meeting up on Tuesday to create the yellow sashes for WSPD .
Every year - those who have qualified in SafeTALK and ASIST wear these visible hand made sashes which identify them on the walk and vigil on the 10th September in Blackburn with Darwen as someone who is trained in holding a safe space for those touched by su***de . Many people attend such events and may not have ben able to speak openly and we as a community- feel very strongly in creating and holding safe spaces for all
Thank you to Blackburn with Darwen Adult learning for being such wonderful hosts and to .miss.carla and for standing in for me 💛
Together we are so much stronger.
***deprevention

07/08/2026

Are you local to Blackburn with Darwen ? Are you interested in helping to create a su***de safer community ?
Join us for an afternoon of connection , hope and community action 💛.
World su***de prevention day is held on the 10th September every year , with events - vigils and walks held the world over .
Here in Blackburn with Darwen we believe that every day is su***de prevention day and our community is passionate about our fundamental belief that su***de is everybody’s business .
Throughout the year we are hosting fully funded workshops where our focus is two fold . Each session is founded in attendees creating handmade meaningful items which will be given out to attendees at the world su***de prevention day events across Blackburn with Darwen in September. They focus on connection and hope . Each session is also led by a community volunteer who also has training in su***de prevention and intervention 💛
Refreshments are provided as are all items to be used in each workshop . You just bring yourself and your authentic energy in doing so much more that “ talking the talk “
Be the change .
Please use the booking link in comments below or message directly on this platform or via email at [email protected]
***deprevention

29/07/2026

Please join us 10th September in Blackburn with Darwen for our sixth World Su***de Prevention Day event .

This years event begins in Darwen at 10am with words from two Darwers and the walk towards Blackburn begins .

There will be a stop off at Blackburn Rovers and another at Cathedral Square for anyone who might find the distance from Darwen challenging and wants to join the group as they enter Blackburn centre towards the Town Hall.

Outside the Town Hall will be a multitude of organisations who are there to listen and signpost appropriately.

A vigil will begin at 12.30 with guest speakers . Throughout all these beautiful and powerful parts you will see individuals wearing orange buttons and a yellow sash . Both indicate that the wearer has successfully completed world recognised qualifications in su***de prevention and can hold space safely - with boundaries . A scroll through these images will take you through previous years events and you can see how much it has grown 💛

su***de is everybody’s business and it is only together that we can make a positive impact 💛

Please use the QR code to book your space on the walk or find out more .

You can also go onto Blackburn with Darwen’s website or message me directly .

We hope to welcome you 💛

You matter .
***deprevention

Be well BwD
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Spring North

28/07/2026

A beautiful day spent with these amazing men at Thomas in Blackburn with Darwen today 💛 authentic humans filled with compassion and empathy, ready willing and able to ask , listen and signpost around su***de . Huge congratulations to every delegate for successfully completing this world recognised qualification and for choosing to become Orange Button Community Scheme Members 🟠 Our community is su***de safer because of today and you . Special shout out to our fabulous community keepsafe connector .miss.carla who was an invaluable support 🫶 su***de is everybody’s business
***deprevention