Manchester Metropolitan University

From grief to hope: Greater Manchester’s suicide memorial quilt displayed at the Houses of Parliament

News | 25th November 2025

By srinithisrinivasan

Greater Manchester’s Speak Their Name Quilt, created during lockdown by those bereaved by suicide, was featured in a national exhibition at the Houses of Parliament to raise awareness and inspire change.

As the first quilt of its kind in the UK, it prompted the creation of similar memorial quilts nationwide and the establishment of the ‘Speak Their Name’ charity.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, the quilt was displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall alongside contributions from 11 other quilt groups. Families participated in the exhibition, facilitating crucial conversations with MPs about the impact of suicide.

The quilt consists of 54 unique squares made by individuals affected by suicide, led by Rebecca Jackson, a fibre artist and bereaved mother, and commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester. 

Adele Owen, suicide prevention and bereavement support manager for NHS Greater Manchester, said: “The quilt aims to create a lasting tribute and raise awareness about those we have lost. Behind the statistics are real people; we must remember them.”

Voices of the bereaved

Andrea Bowles, one of the original 54 contributors to the quilt, created a square in memory of her sister, Jacqueline, who died by suicide in 2018.

She attended the exhibition with her mother, sharing her experience:n“I took part in the Speak Their Name Quilt project as a way of channelling my grief into something positive. I wanted to leave my sister’s memory in places to remind everyone that she left her mark in this world.

“The quilt also provided a sense of community and belonging that I was struggling to find after my sister died. It was incredibly moving to visit the exhibition.

“Seeing it in the House of Commons was different. Knowing it had impacted others and started conversations was a very proud moment for me.”

Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, added: “It was an honour to welcome constituents to Parliament for the powerful Speak Their Name quilt exhibition, where each square represents a life lost to suicide. Hearing Andrea and her mum share Jacqueline’s story was deeply moving.

“This exhibition helps break the silence and connect all those affected. With 17 lives lost every day in the UK to suicide, mental health support must go beyond services. Real change comes from listening to lived experience and supporting families, friends, and charities.”

Continuing legacy

The Speak Their Name quilt remains a profound symbol of remembrance and a source of support. Originating in Greater Manchester, the project continues to inspire groups across the UK and raise crucial awareness about suicide and its impact.

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