More than 130 local residents will take it in turns to carry the campaign’s Olympic-torch style baton through Medway, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet on Monday (22 September) – the official Kent and Medway leg of the 2025 nationwide Baton of Hope Tour.
Warm-up events on Sunday (21 September) will also take place in Folkestone and Sheppey.
To find out where you can see the baton in Kent and Medway, and join in supporting events, see the latest route and events schedule listed below and on the 'about' tab at www.batonofhopekentandmedway.co.uk
Baton of Hope’s visit to Kent and Medway is backed by a wide range of partners including Kent County Council, Medway Council, NHS Kent and Medway, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Canterbury Christ Church University, Mid Kent Mind, Maidstone United Football Club and Maidstone Borough Council. Gillingham's MidKent College is hosting Monday's launch.
Visit www.batonofhopekentandmedway.co.uk to see everyone who is supporting.
“Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make our day of the tour a success”
Alice Scutchey, Kent and Medway Baton of Hope Tour coordinator, said: “Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make our day of the tour a success and help baton bearers and communities remember loved ones, celebrate hope and stand up to suicide stigma.”
Local leaders backing Baton of Hope's calls
Overall, the Baton of Hope Tour 2025 is visiting 20 locations around the country. It started in Blackpool on 1 September and ends in Wrexham on 4 October ahead of a finale in Westminster, London, on 10 October.
Midlife Movers will be helping bring the Kent and Medway leg of the Baton of Hope Tour to a celebratory close at the ‘Evening of Hope’ at Margate’s Dreamland.
Midlife Movers are among a host of performers set to bring the baton's visit to Kent and Medway to a brilliant end at Hall by the Sea
Launched by Sandwich-based Debs Forsyth in 2022, the dance group is made up of members of over-40s dance classes from across east Kent - and they took the stage by storm at last year's Britain's Got Talent auditions.
Debs, who lost her former brother-in-law to suicide in 2023, said: "Suicide, particularly the way it affects men, is something I feel so strongly about. Buck was a brilliant person, fun and glorious to be around. None of us knew how he was feeling and it is such a huge thing when they go.
"We're really looking forward to being a part of the Baton of Hope. We're seeing if we can get 80 of us on the stage to perform an 11-minute disco medley.
"Our youngest dancer will be 41 and an oldest will be 86 - mums, nans and great nans looking to remind people you're not alone, don't suffer in silence and there's always hope."
The schedule
Last updated 18 August 2025
Medway leg
- 9am: Welcome arrival of the baton to MidKent College and Glassbox Theatre. Official tour opening speech from Baton of Hope founder Mike McCarthy.
- 9:30am to 10:30am: The baton is carried through Great Lines Park into University Campus to Chatham Maritime Marina.
- 10:30am to 10:55am: The baton boards Kent Fire and Rescue Service launch speed boat at Marina Jetty and heads up River Medway to Rochester Esplanade.
- 11am to 11:40am: The baton is taken off the boat and carried into the High Street and on to Rochester Castle Garden grounds and Rochester Cathedral. Music, Zumba and wellbeing activities continue in castle grounds area until 1.30pm.
Maidstone leg
- 11:40am to 12pm: The baton leaves Medway and is taken to Invicta Park Barracks.
- 12:05pm to 12:15pm The baton is walked to Maidstone Football Club (FC)
- 12:15pm to 12:30pm: The baton is greeted by players on the pitch during a break of Maidstone United FC’s Under 11's School Tournament.
- 12:30pm to 12:55pm: The baton is carried to County Hall where it will be met by public health leaders.
- 12:55pm to 1:15pm: The baton is carried by bearers via Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone Museum, through Fremlin Walk into Jubilee Square.
- 1:15pm to 1:30pm: The Mayor of Maidstone will greet the baton outside Town Hall, Jubilee Square, before carrying the baton down Gabriels Hill to Mote Avenue.
- 1:30pm to 2pm: Samba drummers walk with baton bearers along Mote Avenue into Mote Park to join the family fun ‘Hope in the Park’ event that will be happening between 10am-2pm.
Canterbury leg
- 2:15pm to 3pm: The baton is taken to Canterbury, arriving at the Queningate Car Park.
- 3pm to 3:30pm: The baton is carried through south Canterbury to join the ‘Together for Hope’ event at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Augustine House.
- 4:30pm to 5:15pm: After a speech by award-winning mental health campaigner Ben West, from Frittenden, Kent, the baton leaves Augustine House and makes its way through central Canterbury, finishing at Canterbury Safe Haven.
Thanet leg
- 5:15pm: The Community Driving School takes the baton by car to Margate.
- 6:10pm: Starting at Nayland Rock Shelter the baton is accompanied by a marching band along the seafront, pausing at Margate Steps and the Turner Contemporary before heading along the Harbour Arm, then back into Margate’s Old Town for 'Afternoon of Hope' event that will already be in full swing.
- 6:55pm: The baton makes its final journey of the day, from Old Town to Dreamland.
- 7:30pm: The day ends with the ‘Evening of Hope’ finale. Acts will include Britain’s Got Talent’s dance group Midlife Movers‘ and World Slam Poetry Champion Harry Baker. Book your tickets here: An Evening of Hope at Dreamland Margate.
Don’t suffer in silence - get support
Mental health problems can affect any of us at any time in our lives. When life gets tough, talking can help. Call the Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123, or chat in confidence to a trained Release the Pressure adviser, anytime, just text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160.
Learn how to better help people experiencing poor mental health, confidently have conversations or signpost to support, with free training from Mid Kent Mind.
Find more information about mental health support in Kent and Medway by visiting the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Hub.
When someone's life is in danger always call 999.
