Call for applicants as fund for hope opens

The Hope Fund has been set up by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme – a partnership of Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council and NHS organisations – ahead of the national suicide prevention initiative the Baton of Hope Tour visiting Medway, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet later this year.

Charities, volunteer groups and schools are among those urged to apply for grants of up to £1000 – with some projects potentially being awarded more.

Bids will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Network and Better Mental Health Network, the Baton of Hope and people living with experience.

The panel will consider what impact a project or event will have, how it will be delivered, how it will involve the community and what legacy it will leave.

It is keen to hear innovative ideas such as, but not limited to:

• community arts projects
• local schools or community groups designing messages around hope and promoting these in the community
• sports or physical activity events
• events or activities within nature

Successful projects and events will:

• ideally be completed by 22 September 2025 – the day the Baton of Hope Tour comes to Kent and Medway
• link in closely with Baton of Hope activity and be involved in the 22 September event

Successful applicants will also be encouraged to attend Suicide Prevention training. Funded by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme, and delivered by Mid-Kent MIND, these online or in-person sessions give people the confidence to talk about isolating emotions and experiences and find a way through.

Find out more and apply by 6pm, Tuesday 15 April 2025 at: www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-grants-and-funding/our-current-funding-opportunities/health-and-wellbeing-funding/kent-and-medway-suicide-prevention-hope-fund-2025.  

If you have any questions about the application process, please email the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Team: suicideprevention@kent.gov.uk.

Dan Watkins, KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “One life lost through suicide is one too many.  We’re committed to using the Baton of Hope’s visit to shine a light on local suicide prevention support, improve understanding of mental health and inspire change that lasts beyond 2025.  By supporting fantastic work going on in our communities to give hope to anyone in despair, our aim is the Hope Fund does all these things – and more.”

Mike McCarthy, Founder, Baton of Hope, said: “The Baton of Hope’s mission is to inspire hope through action.  We are incredibly proud to see the Hope Fund being launched in Kent and Medway alongside our Tour, offering local projects the chance to create a lasting, positive impact. Together, we can break the stigma, change the conversation, and save lives.”

Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “Welcoming the Baton of Hope to Medway later this year will be a privilege. The topic of suicide is still considered taboo by many, but it is incredibly important we speak openly about it and offer support to the families of those who have taken their own lives, and to those who have suicidal thoughts, if we are serious about tackling this issue.

“The Hope Fund is a great way to facilitate those conversations in our communities and I would urge any group or individual out there who is interested to find out more about the fund and apply. I also want to take this opportunity to remind anybody out there who is struggling, you are not alone and there is support. Do not suffer in silence – please reach out and get the help and support you deserve.”