Britain’s Got Talent over-40s dance sensation Midlife Movers are among those gearing up to welcome the world’s biggest suicide prevention campaign – the Baton of Hope Tour – when it stops at Dreamland as part of its Kent and Medway route.
The Baton of Hope campaign raises awareness of suicide prevention support. It also tackles suicide stigma by encouraging everyone to talk openly about mental health struggles.
More than 130 local residents will take it in turns to carry the campaign’s Olympic-torch style baton through Medway, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet on 22 September – the official Kent and Medway leg of the 2025 nationwide Baton of Hope Tour.
Alongside the Baton of Hope will be the Kent Speak Their Name Memorial Quilt with 66 squares on, remembering those who have died by suicide.
The unveiling of the Kent Speak Their Name Memorial Quilt will take place at Dreamland. The memorial quilt has been created by STAK.life { Stefan’s Acts of Kindness) founders Emma and Tristan Kluibenschadl and others in the county who have been bereaved by suicide.
The quilt is made up of individual squares designed by those in Kent who have been bereaved by suicide. Each square represents the unique memories of the family or friend who has died.
The Margate couple founded the CIC in memory of their son Stefan who was just 15 when he ended his life after suffering workplace bullying and being failed by health services.
Baton of Hope’s visit to Kent and Medway is supported by a wide range of partners including Kent County Council, Medway Council, NHS Kent and Medway, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Canterbury Christ Church University, Mid-Kent Mind, Maidstone United Football Club and Maidstone Borough Council.
Alice Scutchey, Kent and Medway Baton of Hope Tour coordinator, said: “Plans around the 22 September are really coming together.
“Thanks to everyone who is working so hard to make our day of the tour a success and help baton bearers and communities remember loved ones, celebrate hope and stand up to suicide stigma.”
In total the Baton of Hope Tour 2025 will visit 20 locations around the country – starting in Blackpool on 1 September and ending in Wrexham on 4 October ahead of a finale in Westminster, London, on 10 October.
Midlife Movers will be helping bring the Kent and Medway leg of the Baton of Hope Tour to a celebratory end at the ‘Evening of Hope’ at Margate’s Dreamland.
Launched by Sandwich-based Debs Forsyth in 2022, the dance group is made up of members of over-40s dance classes from across east Kent – and they took the stage by storm at last year’s Britain’s Got Talent auditions.
Debs, who lost her former brother-in-law to suicide in 2023, said: “Suicide, particularly the way it affects men, is something I feel so strongly about. Buck was a brilliant person, fun and glorious to be around. None of us knew how he was feeling and it is such a huge thing when they go.
“We’re really looking forward to being a part of the Baton of Hope. We’re seeing if we can get 80 of us on the stage to perform an 11-minute disco medley.
“Our youngest dancer will be 41 and an oldest will be 86 – mums, nans and great nans looking to remind people you’re not alone, don’t suffer in silence and there’s always hope.”
An Evening of Hope will feature an evening of uplifting songs, tap-along dance routines and beautiful stories about connection, community, survival and above all, HOPE.
The evening will be hosted by kmfm’s Nicola Everett.
Acts will include ‘Midlife Movers‘, World Slam Poetry Champion ‘Harry Baker‘, Close up magician ‘Stuart Weller‘, dance performances from ‘Masque Theatre School’, Japanese Drumming and the art of the Japanese Sword from ‘KenseiTaiko‘ and soulful, uplifting songs from the ‘Margate Social Singing Choir‘…. plus more.
Book your tickets here: An Evening of Hope at Dreamland Margate.
Thanet leg of the Baton of Hope Tour
- 5.15pm: The Community Driving School takes the baton by car to Margate.
- 6.10pm: Starting at Nayland Rock Shelter the baton is accompanied by a marching band along the seafront, pausing at Margate Steps and Turner Contemporary before heading along the Harbour Arm, then back into Margate’s Old Town for ‘Afternoon of Hope’ event that will already be in full swing.
- 6.55pm: The baton makes its final journey of the day, from Old Town to Dreamland.
- 7.30pm: The day ends with the ‘Evening of Hope’ finale. Acts will include Britain’s Got Talent’s dance group Midlife Movers‘ and World Slam Poetry Champion Harry Baker.
