Signs of hope are being left at a Leeds bridge to remind people who are struggling with their mental health that they are loved - and that help is always available.
Bearing positive messages like "please reach out... you are loved", the notes were spotted on the motorway bridge on Scotchman Lane this week by local resident Josh Sturgeon.
The local bridge has had a lot of people go there when contemplating suicide over the years, so locals have started putting up inspirational quotes and messages in the hope they can change people's minds before it's too late.
One simply reads: "life can be tough but so are you."
Another says: "Never stop believing in yourself. You can change what tomorrow brings."
Sturgeon, who shared the signs to a local community Facebook group, credited Leeds' mental health services MINT (Men In Need Together) with putting up the inspirational signs.
The charity has personally helped some people who've stood on the bridge over the years and contemplated ending things, so decided to put the signs up as part of a campaign for mental health week.
They asked service users to contribute positive messages for the signs and also left out their own leaflets in the hopes that it might encourage anyone suffering to reach out.
The organisation hosts free support groups every Tuesday for men struggling with their mental health and welcomes all "whether it’s a medical condition, a sad event that has happened or if you are just genuinely feeling down and out."
Encouraging people to attend their group sessions, a post on MINT's Facebook page reads: "There is no problem too big or too small and all are welcome to join our team this evening.
"You can speak as much or as little as you wish, sometimes just listening to other men speak about their demons can enrich you with confidence to speak but that’s entirely up to you."
Follow MINT on Facebook to find out more about their mental health support services.
Leeds
New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lolais a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall
Clementine Hall
Turnstile will headline the Halifax Piece Hall this summer, their only UK headline show.
The Grammy-winning hardcore group have just announced a very special show at historic venue the Halifax Piece Hall.
As part of the venue's huge summer season, Turnstile will take to the stage on Wednesday 26 August marking a whopping 41 shows at the Piece Hall's calendar so far.
The group pulled huge crowds at Glastonbury festival last year and scooped up two Grammy Awards earlier this month, using their platform to thank fans who "swung in the dark" with them.
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “2026 will see Turnstile playing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and then here in Halifax at UK’s most iconic heritage venue.”
“We always aim to deliver for the full spectrum of music lovers in Calderdale and knowing how passionate our rock and metal community is, this gig will be off the scale – truly unmissable!”
Alongside Turnstile, Halifax Piece Hall will welcome the likes of Hollywood Vampires, Paul Weller, Bowling For Soup, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols, Mcfly, CMAT and Jimmy Eat World this summer. What a season it's going to be.
Baltimore’s hardcore heroes will head to West Yorkshire to play TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Wednesday August 26.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 27 February at 10am, and you can get your tickets here.
Find out more about what's going on at the Halifax Piece Hall this summer here.
Georgina Pellant -
19th May 2021 
