15th July 2026 💙 Abbeydale, Gloucester
Some days stay with you forever.
Yesterday was one of those days.
We gathered in Abbeydale, Gloucester, to unveil another Suicide Prevention Bench. A bench that will stand as a place of remembrance, hope, reflection and, we hope, a place where conversations begin and lives are saved.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible Mary Barnes and her wonderful team, who worked so hard to raise the funds. Mary’s unwavering dedication, endless energy and determination have been truly inspiring. She has given so much of herself to make this happen, and we will be forever grateful. Mary, you are one truly remarkable lady, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
To see so many people there was overwhelming. Friends, families, members of our community, local councillors and the Mayor of Gloucester, Adrian Graham, all standing together with one shared purpose. Your presence meant more than words can ever say. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in what we are trying to achieve, and for helping to break the silence surrounding suicide.
Every unveiling is emotional, but they never get any easier. As the cover came away and the bench was revealed, there was a silence that spoke louder than any words ever could. It reaches deep into your soul because behind every name is a story, a life filled with hopes, dreams, laughter and love. A life that should still be here.
The memory plaque carries 31 names.
Thirty one beautiful souls.
Thirty one lives lost to suicide.
Thirty one people who deserved help, compassion and hope.
Thirty one families whose lives were changed forever.
Thirty one names that will never, ever be forgotten.
Their names are engraved in metal, but they are also engraved in our hearts.
This bench isn’t just wood and steel.
It is love, It is loss, It is remembrance, It is hope, It is a promise that we will keep talking, keep raising awareness, keep fighting the stigma and keep doing everything we can to stop another family experiencing the heartbreak of losing someone they love.
To every one of those 31 souls, you mattered, you still matter, and you will always be remembered.
Sleep peacefully, Your legacy lives on.
Together, we will continue to turn heartbreak into hope. 💙
