Men with lived experience of suicidal thoughts are being invited to help create a major multimedia exhibition across Cumbria.
Every Life Matters has teamed up with four Cumbrian artists to create A Moment of Connection, an Arts Council England-funded project exploring men’s experiences of surviving suicide, connection and finding hope.
The project will work with men who have survived suicide attempts or experienced suicidal thoughts, as well as people who have supported someone they love.
Through art, participants will explore the moments that helped them find hope or a reason to keep living – their own Moment of Connection.
By sharing these stories, the project offers a different perspective on how men seek help, talk about difficult experiences and support one another. It aims to challenge the stereotype of the “strong, silent” man who struggles alone.
Chris Wood, CEO of Every Life Matters, said: “Suicide rates in Cumbria remain stubbornly high, so finding new and creative ways to share hope is vital.
“We want this project to open up conversations about thoughts of suicide and make it easier for people to talk about experiences that are often kept hidden.
“We know that talking openly about suicide can save lives, and we can’t wait to see how men across Cumbria express their experiences of connection and hope through art.”
A Moment of Connection will run a series of drop-in workshops in West Cumbria, Carlisle and Barrow.
Men will be able to share as much or as little of their experiences as they feel comfortable with, while learning skills in photography, filmmaking, sound design and graffiti art.
The work created through the project will contribute to exhibitions taking place in early 2027 at Cooke’s Studios in Barrow, The Beacon in Whitehaven and Tullie in Carlisle.
The artists leading the project are:
- Shaun Blezard, project lead and sound artist
- Philip Green, photographer
- Laurence Campbell, moving-image artist
- Ian Alcock, assistant project lead and graffiti artist
All four artists have extensive experience of working within communities across Cumbria.
Shaun and Ian have also worked for Every Life Matters and bring their experience of suicide prevention to the project.
Shaun said: “This feels like a timely project for Cumbria, where suicide continues to have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities.
“We want to share some of those glimmers of hope which helped people through their darkest moments. We hope the project will encourage more people to reach out, talk openly about suicide and ask for help.
“Using art to share these experiences is something new for Every Life Matters. We are looking forward to exploring how creativity can help communicate messages about suicide prevention, connection and hope.”
How to get involved
Men with lived experience of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and those who have supported someone they love, are invited to take part.
No previous artistic experience is needed. Participants can attend a drop-in session, learn new creative skills and decide how much of their story they would like to share.
The project also invites artists and creative practitioners to submit work related to their own personal experiences of suicide.
For information about upcoming sessions or to speak to the project team, email Shaun at [email protected]
Drop-in session dates
Barrow
Location: Full of Noises, Peel View House, Barrow Park, Barrow LA13 9BD
- July 15, 2pm to 7pm: Meet the artists
- August 24, 2pm to 7pm: Working with mixed media
- September 14 2pm to 7pm: Sound for installations
Whitehaven
Location: Soundwave. 72 King Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7LE
- July 21, 2pm to 7pm: Meet the artists
- August 12, 2pm to 7pm: Designing graffiti art
- September 16, 2pm to 7pm: Sound for installations
Carlisle
Location: Tullie, Castle Street, Carlisle CA3 8TP
- October 13, 10am to 3pm: Meet the artists
- October 14, 3pm to 8pm: Working with mixed media
Location: The Brickyard: Fisher Street, Carlisle CA3 8RN
- October 22, 5pm to 9pm Working with mixed media
A Moment of Connection is funded by Arts Council England, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Barrow Town Council and Cumbria Community Foundation.
The project is working in partnership with Cumbrian organisations including Tullie, Everyone Here, Signal Film & Media, Full of Noises, Hope Haven, Mind in Furness, The Beacon and Andy’s Man Club.
