A Celebration of Hope
Friday 18th July, 3–6pm | Nexus, The University of Leeds
We’ve lots to celebrate as HelloHope marks one year of working in mental health suicide prevention and we have a game-changing suicide-prevention platform to launch so we’re holding a special event we’d love your company at.
Join us for an uplifting afternoon of connection, purpose, and action as we bring the HelloHope community to life.
We’re gathering 100 change-makers, business leaders and media representatives to showcase how technology, storytelling, and collaboration can create real impact in reducing suicide rates across the UK.
Join us as we launch a world-first suicide prevention platform, showcasing powerful lived experiences and celebrating a new way to save lives.
This is your chance to be part of something bold, human, and hopeful.
What to expect:
✨ Inspiring speakers and short talks
🍸 Refreshments and delicious bites from local partners
📍 A curated tabletop expo of brilliant social enterprises and allies
🤝 Networking and conversations that lead to collaboration and change
🍪 Branded biscuits from amazing local company The Biskery
Whether you’re a supporter, innovator, community builder, or someone who simply believes in a more welcoming future, this afternoon is for you.
Together, let’s celebrate turning hope into action.
To discuss sponsorship or having a stall to showcase your products or services, contact info@hellohope.uk.
More about our speakers:
Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn
Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn will share their inspirational story, stranger on the bridge, which shares the same name as the acclaimed Channel 4 production, documenting Jonny’s journey with his own mental health and suicide attempt in 2008 and how a timely intervention by Neil on that day would inspire Jonny years later to painstakingly search for Neil and reunite the two strangers.
The pair will discuss their lives since being reunited in 2014 thanks to Jonny’s globally reaching searchand how becoming both close friends and working together to breakdown stigma around discussing mental health and suicide (amongst other topics related to these conditions) has impacted both men in very different ways and their views on addressing these topics in today’s landscape, individually and collectively.
Sandeep Saib
Having been diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and also a Suicide Survivor from the years 2012-2016, nine years later, Sandeep is a prolific Lived & Living Experience (‘Expert by Experience’) Mental Health Advocate, Philanthropist and Public Speaker, sharing her personal recovery journey to help, support, educate and empower others and fight against the cause, especially equality, diversity and inclusion, in the world of mental health. Sandeep also volunteers and collaborates with various charities and organisations in various capacities to continue making change happen. Sandeep is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
Professionally, Sandeep is a qualified professional Marketer working full time at CMS, an international law firm, as their Senior Business Development Executive. Sandeep is also CMS’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Network Committee Member and their Wellbeing Ambassador.
Sandeep helped co-produce the FaithAction ‘Talking Faith in Suicide Prevention’ resource which launched in March 2024, and continues to advocate and promote this resource widely.
Talk Your Walk
Formed by former professional rugby players, Suaia Matagi, Quentin Laulu-Togagae and Jesse Sene-Lefao, Talk Your Walk is a growing movement combining rugby, walking and conversation and they’ll bring an energy-building Haka-style routine to HelloHope’s event to inspire and motivate participants.
Believing that every journey matters, their mission is to empower individuals to rise with resilience, stay rooted in positivity, and unlock their full potential. Through inspiring programs, cultural learning, and strong community support, Talk Your Walk is here to help you walk your path with confidence, purpose and pride.
