Meet the Linking Hope Team

Claire G & Simon – I was 3 weeks away from my 21^st birthday and about to finish my degree when my Dad lost his battle and decided it was time to leave the world.  This was the man who had supported me through all of my uni work, always been there when I needed him and had been preparing for my 21^st in the weeks leading up to his death. He was my hero and my best friend.  My world fell apart the day he left us and at that time, all those years ago, suicide was not spoken about and I didn’t know how big an issue it was. In 2023, I carried the Baton of Hope in Birmingham…which then inspired me to bring the Baton to my local area – Derby and Derbyshire.  Both events had a huge impact on me – they were the most amazing days – whilst full of emotion and feelings of loss – meeting the people who had also lost someone to suicide felt like a club – one we wish we weren’t a part of but one we need all the same.  Every person I have met through this journey has been an inspiration to me – their strength and resilience and the amount of them who had gone on to set up their own charities and suicide prevention initiatives blew my mind.  What hit me the most was how many amazing organisations we have in our area that do fantastic work but I didn’t know about any of them until I started volunteering in this area.  SO I want to change that, and with this amazing team of people, all coming together with one goal, that’s what we will do.  I need to do this for my Dad, my family and for the people of Derby so no-one else has to suffer the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Claire H – I’m Claire Hollingshurst and I’m a Quality Systems and Business Site Support Manager. I love heading on trips around the UK in our camper van, walking, spending time with my family and my two dogs. I got involved with Linking Hope after I volunteered at the Baton of Hope Derbyshire event. I lost my Dad to suicide when I was 18 years old and it had a big effect on me as I headed off to university and I want to make a difference by raising awareness around suicide, linking groups that aim to reduce the stigma around suicide and helping individuals find the support that they need when they need it

Leni – Suicide loss has touched my life deeply. I’ve lost five people I loved to suicide, including my wonderful best friend James, who remains the beating heart behind everything I do. His warmth, his spirit, and the gap he left behind are what get me out of bed every morning and fuel my passion for this work. I’m proud to serve as Secretary for Linking Hope, a role I pour my whole heart into. What excites me most about what we do is bringing together the brilliant charities and groups who are out there doing such vital work in suicide prevention — because when we connect, collaborate and support each other, we become so much stronger. Outside of volunteering, I work as a celebrant, a role that has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty of people’s lives and the importance of honouring them with care and meaning. I know how isolating this kind of grief and struggle can feel. My hope is that Linking Hope can be the bridge that makes sure no one has to search too hard to find the right support — because it’s out there, and you deserve to find it.

Emma M – Hi I’m Emma and I chose to get involved with Linking Hope after becoming a Baton Bearer in 2025 for the Baton of Hope tour in Derby. I carried the baton in memory of my friend Iona, who sadly took her own life in September 2023. Iona was everyone’s friend, and there wasn’t a single person you came across who didn’t have the nicest things to say about her. She took her own life whilst under section in Hospital, the one place that was meant to make sure she was safe. She was there a matter of hours before deciding to take her life. So my why, is to ensure that other people that felt like Iona did on that day in September 2023 get better access to services and support, and that our NHS system is held accountable when it comes to suicide prevention.

Steve – Hi I’m Steve, I signed up to go be a baton bearer and walk with the baton due my own personal experience of mental health and after several attempts of suicide in 2024/2025. My background in event work was put to use on the day when I was asked to help run the events at Cathedral Green and that ignited a passion to help form linking hope. Alongside Emma P we will be looking after the events side of things for linking hope, so any ideas or suggestions for events please get in touch with us!

Ben – Throughout my life, I have struggled with my mental health. Every time I got low, I went through a new system to try and improve my mental health, and within 3 months of finishing the programme, I was back to square one. I joined the Baton of Hope team to hope to change the narrative on the perception of mental health, and on the 13th of September, we brought the baton to Derby. To be able to capture the day was one of the proudest moments in my life, and something I couldn’t have imagined I would do, something so meaningful and impactful to everyone who came along on the day. Through my photography and videography business, I aim to continue to promote all the different individuals and groups helping out people when they need it the most.

Emma P – Although I haven’t been effected my suicide personally, I am passionate about helping others.  The main aims of the charity I work for are to support good health and wellbeing and to optimise life chances.  We meet so many people who have obstacles presented to them and are from some of the most disadvantaged areas in the community, and we aim to support them so that we have a thriving, healthy and connected community.  I love bringing events to life and was honoured when Claire asked me to support The Baton of Hope Tour in Derby in 2025.  It was amazing seeing it come together and it inspired me to want to support this group even further.