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Speak Their Name: The North East Suicide Memorial Quilt
5th February 2024 - 27th March 2024
During February and March 2024, the ‘Speak Their Name’ North East Suicide Memorial Quilt will be displayed at Newcastle Cathedral. 120 individual fabric squares have been crafted, representing, and honouring loved ones who have died by suicide.
The ‘Speak Their Name’ movement originates in Greater Manchester, where the first memorial quilt was made during the pandemic. The project has been led by Tracey Beadle of the charity Quinn’s Retreat and Suzanne Howes. Both have lost children to suicide and are determined to make a difference and bring hope, in their children’s names.
The creation of the North East quilt was embedded in the local community. Over 200 people attended workshops in Darlington, County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Teesside.
The vision is that this powerful artwork will take centre stage in our region. The quilt will tour public places, provoke thought, be a catalyst for conversations and raise awareness about suicide. It is both a suicide prevention and postvention initiative. Alongside this, the quilt will bring hope and healing to those who have lost loved ones.