Hope for Life

Yesterday I attended the Hope for Life UK Conference at the Yorkshire Events Centre – a gathering that was far more than a conference. It was a community united by one shared mission: to create a suicide-safer society where every person feels they belong and has hope for the future.

What struck me most was the atmosphere. The sense of belonging that suicide prevention needs – connection, compassion, and collective action. I shared the space with existing connections Farzana Khanum Mike McCarthy and made new ones, and had a chance in-person meet with Jeremy O’Dwyer who’s lived experience is featured in the MHFA England ‘Honest Answers about Suicide’ film, which my MHFA course delegates will be familiar with.

Key highlights:

Lived experience voices reminding us that stories of loss can become catalysts for change.

Business leaders, public services, and advocates collaborating to embed hope into workplaces and communities.

An awards ceremony celebrating those who are driving systemic change and saving lives.

The Hope for Life Conference was born from tragedy – the loss of Jordan in 2019 – yet it has grown into a movement of resilience and determination. From grief, Steve Phillip and The Jordan Legacy has built a platform that inspires action, challenges stigma, and reminds us that hope is not just a word, but a lifeline.

As professionals, leaders, and human beings, we all have a role to play. Suicide prevention isn’t just about crisis intervention – it’s about creating cultures where people feel valued, supported, and safe to reach out.

I left Harrogate with more conviction than ever: together, we can move towards zero suicides.