The UK’s largest suicide* prevention awareness initiative, the Baton of Hope, comes to Portsmouth on Friday 26 September 2025.
Visiting 20 community locations across the city, over 100 residents will take turns to carry an Olympic-style baton throughout the day to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Among the torch bearers are emergency workers, foster carers, local business owners, support workers, and many more – who have been affected by suicide in some way.
The Baton will depart from Mick’s Monster Burgers on Portsdown Hill around 8am, winding through the city and ending at The Gaiety on South Parade Pier, Southsea. On its journey, it will pass Portsmouth’s big landmarks, including the Mary Rose in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth FC’s Fratton Park, Spinnaker Tower, and around Victoria Park, the baton bearer village. Community hubs along the route will open their doors with activities, refreshments, and a chance for residents to connect with charities and support organisations.
Sport and physical activity is known to be beneficial for mental health so one of the hubs is Mountbatten Leisure Centre. Visitors to the centre can expect a warm welcome, refreshments, and a safe space to reflect on the day. There will also be menopause drop-in sessions delivered by Hormones on the Blink. Offering advice and no-stigma chat, these sessions are tailored to those looking to learn more about menopause and its links to mental health**.
Activities such as badminton, pickleball, and table tennis will be running in Mountbatten’s sports hall from 10am-1pm and free to attend for all. Furthermore a free gym-based circuit session will be running from 10:30am-11:30am***. Representatives from Portsmouth Interaction – a wellbeing programme run by BH Live that provides recreational activities and support for people with long-term mental health conditions – will be on hand to offer guidance and information about the service. Further details are available online.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Matt Low, Portsmouth Cluster Manager, shared;
“We’re honoured to be part of the Baton of Hope’s journey across Portsmouth to raise awareness of suicide prevention and to show that no one has to face their struggles alone.
“As one of the route’s community hubs, we hope that Mountbatten Leisure Centre is seen as a warm and welcoming space where people can pause, connect, and find out more about the support services available across the city.
“Local leisure centres aren’t just places to get active – they are true community hubs, where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, support one another, and experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of being active.”
Portsmouth’s Baton of Hope Project Leader, Lara Kynvin, said:
“Sport and leisure are so important for people’s mental health and wellbeing, so we are delighted that Mountbatten Leisure Centre is supporting Portsmouth’s Baton of Hope.
“There will be lots of activities to take part in at Mountbatten and our other hubs on the day, they will be welcoming places for people to share conversations and come and join the baton’s journey through Portsmouth.”
More information about Mountbatten Leisure Centre can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
More information about Baton of Hope can be found online at batonofhopeuk.org.
More information about Hormones on the Blink can be found online at hormonesontheblink.com.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*If you’ve been affected and bereaved by suicide, Cruse is a dedicated service providing free and confidential support across Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Call 0330 555 0129, or visit crusenow.org.uk
If you need urgent help with your mental health, there is free support available 24/7 from:
- Samaritans – call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- Shout – text HANTS to 85258
- If it’s an emergency, call an ambulance using 999
**Suicide rates for women aged 45–54 (the most common age for perimenopause and menopause) have risen 6% in the past 20 years according to the Office of National Statistics. Understanding hormone health could save lives.
More information about can be found online at menopausematters.co.uk.
***12 spaces available on a first come, first served basis.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Mountbatten Leisure Centre is Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large well well-equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness.
Dedicated training areas offer cardio machines, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings.
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non-members, a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
ANPR is in operation at Mountbatten Leisure Centre. There is free customer parking for up to four hours, seven days a week. Accessible spaces are available for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive
About Baton of Hope
We believe that deaths by suicide are preventable, right up until the point of action; and that all of society has a duty of care. Through campaigning, public education and awareness, a series of pledges and lobbying, we will create change.
By working with partners, fellow charities and communities we will work tirelessly to make suicide prevention a top priority.
We will give hope and save lives.
Baton of Hope UK is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1203031, and a charitable company limited by guarantee no. 14221678