Sheffield Route – 28 june 2023
In Sheffield we have one of the longest city routes of the Tour, not least because with five rivers, 800 managed greenspaces and more trees per person than any other city in Europe, it is a delight to walk around! That said, we have one stretch in a car which, in keeping the Sheffield’s technology future, will be electric.
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.
08:05 – 08:30
START Hillsborough stadium
We kick off the Baton of Hope Tour of the city in the blue and white half of Sheffield. Our first Baton-bearer will be our Baton of Hope Ambassador, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club player, Will Vaulks. Will plans to talk about his life and mental health experience before starting The Baton on its Sheffield journey.
Public support will be welcome.
08:45 – 09:10
1 Hillsborough park
Shining a light on the many charities and organisations who support suicide prevention and champion mental wellbeing is the key focus at Hillsborough Park. Over 30 charities, their founders, and their volunteers from across South Yorkshire, will participate in our ‘Charity Village’ to highlight the support available to local communities in the region.
Public support and participation will be welcome.
09:30 – 09:55
2 the sheffield college hillsborough campus
The connection between education and wellbeing is at the heart of this event. Educators, students and young people will gather to showcase art and photography on the chosen topic – Hope.
Public support will be welcome.
10:45 – 11:10
3 kelham island
The iconic Kelham Island Museum hosts our business community event where the recent soft launch of the ‘Workplace Charter’ at the Houses of Parliament will be the agenda highlight. Business and enterprise leaders will welcome a volunteer Baton-bearer and share their stories of hope as they work towards safe and inclusive, zero-suicide workplaces.
11:30 – 11:55
4 police headquarters
Emergency services staff are often at the sharp end of dealing with personal tragedies. Leaders and advocates will show their commitment to both their staff and the people who need their help by relaying The Baton as part of a united effort by all three 999 services. The ‘Blue Light’ services have put significantly improved mental health and wellbeing support in place for their people in recent years – the relay will celebrate that, as well as highlight the work still to be done.
12:25 – 12:50
5 sheffield olympic legacy park
The proven benefits to mental health and wellbeing of moving more, being active and engaging in sport, will be the natural focus for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. It will be an opportunity to see what developments are continuing to take shape here, and around the English Institute for Sport, and to make this Sheffield’s hub for active lives and research.
Public support will be welcome.
13:45 – 14:10
6 sheffield flourish
This stop recognises the work of a number of community enterprises that support people from a broad cross-section of cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities. It acknowledges the breadth and variety of strategies through which mental health advocates support the people of Sheffield.
14:30 – 14:40
The leadmill
The Baton cannot travel through the city without visiting the iconic building known as The Leadmill which opened its doors in 1980 and is the longest serving live music venue in the city. Sheffield has a long history of musical talent, from Def Leppard to the Arctic Monkeys – the musical output from The Leadmill has been a huge source of hope for Sheffield people for decades.
15:00 – 15:25
7 bramall lane
Bramall Lane is where Sheffield United Football Club will join us to highlight the need for change. The Baton will be carried by Tony Currie – a legend from the football club. We will also have the chance to hear from community members who have worked with the football club and have inspiring stories of hope.
Public support will be welcome.
16:25 – 16:50
8 Weston Park
At Weston Park – a stone’s throw from five hospitals and Sheffield University’s Medical School – NHS staff will come together to share their experiences and show their commitment to preventing suicide. A special guest will collect The Baton.
Public support will be welcome.
17:15 – 17:40
9 sheffield town hall
The Baton’s penultimate visit is to the Town Hall steps where civic and faith leaders from across the political and religious spectrum will show their united commitment to removing the stigma associated with suicide, and to creating a city where people of all kinds can find help and support.
18:00 – 19:00
finish tudor square
Our Baton Tour of Sheffield ends in the famous square at the heart of theatre-land and the home of Snooker – the Crucible and Lyceum theatres. We invite the whole of Sheffield to come together, with special guests, to share hope through live music, stories, short speeches, and song.
Public support and participation will be welcome.
The Ollie Foundation is running a special training programme alongside the Baton of Hope Tour. For details, please click here: Ollie Foundation Training