Join Bury’s Walk of Hope and help prevent suicide

Join a leisurely walk through the sights and attractions of beautiful Burrs Country Park this Sunday afternoon (3 October), as part of Greater Manchester’s Month of Hope.

People who take part can:

• Enjoy a three-mile friendly, guided ­­­­­walk through the trees and along the river with views of the East Lancashire Railway, Holcombe Hill and local industrial heritage
• Take the opportunity to work with an artist to paint a watercolour picture of the views
• Write a “message of hope” which will form part of an artwork hung on the day in a tree and afterwards be displayed by the Big Fandango charity in Bury town centre
• Take part in “forest bathing” – a traditional Japanese method of meditation under forest trees
• Enjoy a free hot or cold drink at The Lamppost café

The Walk of Hope is organised as part of the Month of Hope, which aims to raise awareness of suicide by encouraging everyone in Greater Manchester to have open conversations about and to play a role in preventing suicide, while inspiring hope across the city-region.

The month runs from World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, Bury Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “During this month we want to share stories that inspire hope and help people to know what they can do themselves to prevent suicide.

“Everyone can help by talking, listening and asking questions. Among the people taking part at Burrs Country Park will be from several wonderful Bury charities who do great work in supporting mental health.

“Please come along, join in the activities, have a chat and share your messages of hope.”

The Walk of Hope has been organised by Bury Council and NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, together with conservation and fitness charity The Sunnywood Project and wellbeing charity Uplift Unite.

Also taking part will be community arts project The Big Fandango and Bury’s local Samaritans.

The project has been funded by Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.

Taking part in the walk is free of charge, but to help manage numbers please book your place in advance via Eventbrite. (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bury-walk-of-hope-tickets-169852111237)

ENDS

Press release issued: 28 September 2021.