London Route – 6 july 2023
For the final Tour location, we have a packed itinerary, shining a light on commitment to suicide prevention across the capital. We will see and hear from many familiar faces, and also people working with quiet dedication and no fanfare. We will show change in action – in how we approach suicide; in how we talk about it; and in how we support those affected by it.
The Baton route and event locations are all subject to local authority approval, and change.
© mapbox & OSMap
As in other cities, The Baton’s day will likely start with a media moment just before 08:00.
08:00 – 08:30
1 emirates stadium
The London tour will kick off at the iconic Emirates Stadium. We will hear from Arsenal Community Foundation on what is being done in the local football community to improve mental health support in sport, and especially for young people. There will be appearances by special guests!
Public support, at the entrance to the Emirates Stadium, will be welcome.
08:35 – 09:00
2 London Underground
The Baton will travel in an exclusive carriage by tube from Arsenal to Kings Cross to recognise the continuous work carried out by TFL, Network Rail and the Samaritans to make the Tube network and the Railways as safe as possible.
09:15 – 09:30
3 kings cross estate, granary square
The public is encouraged to post messages on the ‘Random Acts of Kindness Board’, hosted by uniformed youth groups. The Baton will make a brief appearance as it passes through on its way to Regent’s Park.
Public participation will be welcome.
10:00 – 11:00
4 regents park open-air theatre
The event will be opened by poet Tricia Waller, a beneficiary of Poetry for Mental Health, who will share her specially composed poem, ‘Hope’. The Open-Air Theatre will also welcome ‘The Sound of Silence’, a play by Brian Daniels that is based on the story of Ross McCarthy, and a parent’s tragic loss of a child to suicide. An interactive Q&A with the actors and Mike McCarthy will follow the performance.
The public will be welcome, and admission is free.
11:30 – 11:45
5 kensington palace gardens
The Baton of Hope is about hope and inclusion, representing all communities and faiths.
Public support will be welcome.
12:00 – 12:30
6 royal albert hall steps
At this prestigious arts location, we look forward to a diverse line-up of voices and music in a piece called ‘Voices of Hope’. The musical recital will be performed by students of the BIMM Institute, who will also highlight how music can be used as therapy.
Public support will be welcome.
13:00 – 13:30
7 knightsbridge barracks
With support from The Household Cavalry, The Baton will be carried on horseback from South Carriage Drive, down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, by soldiers from The Blues and GBR Equestrian Team athletes.
Public support for this mounted section of the route will be welcome.
13:30 – 14:15
8 horse guards parade
At Horse Guards Parade, we will host a tribute to the Emergency and Military Services, and acknowledge the tireless work and difficult situations experienced by Services personnel of all stripes. Speakers will address the mental health struggles that occur in the Services, as well as sharing stories of hope. There will be very special guests.
Public support will be welcome.
14:00 – 16:00
9 tate modern gardens
As with other cities on the Tour, we are hosting a Charity Village. Pop-up stands from a broad cross-section of charities and organisations will highlight the wonderful work being delivered in mental wellbeing and suicide prevention; information sharing and learning will be available to members of the general public. The Baton will make a visit to the Charity Village on its journey along the Southbank.
Public support and participation will be welcome.
15:00 – 16:00
10 shakespeare’s globe
Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre hosts the awardees of the ‘Globe of Hope’. Focusing on the importance of good mental health in young people and young adults, the event will celebrate the winners of the Borough Schools Art Competition – a school arts initiative called the ‘Globe of Hope’. Representatives from charities focusing on young mental health will be present.
Public support will be welcome
16:15 – 16:45
london bridge city pier to embankment pier
The Baton will take to the River Thames, and make its way to Embankment Pier on a boat kindly provided by TfL. The public will be welcome to watch embarkation and disembarkation from the embankments on both sides of the river.
Public support will be welcome
17:00 – 17:15
11 trafalgar square
The Baton will pass through Trafalgar Square on the final leg of the Baton of Hope UK Tour 2023 on its way to the Houses of Parliament. The public will be welcome to give it a final hurrah for this year’s tour, before The Baton takes its place in the Parliamentary Estate.
And at 17:30, at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster… The Baton will be delivered.
13:00 – 16:00
additional events happening in london
The London Borough of Hounslow, working in partnership with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and West London NHS Wellbeing and Recovery College, will hold a suicide awareness event on 6 July at Brentford FC Community Stadium Hub.
The event will be held to support of the Baton of Hope’s visit to London. It will start at 13:00 with lunch, and will feature a range of speakers on subjects related to suicide and mental health. For more information and to reserve a space:
The Ollie Foundation is running a special training programme alongside the Baton of Hope Tour. For details, please click here: Ollie Foundation Training