The RTProjects has been ‘Saving Lives with Art’ since 2009. Set up in response to the high rates of suicide in County Durham. RTProjects supports people towards recovery through creative activities. Beano, its founder, does not shy away from the subject of suicide and believes that it should be more openly discussed.
“We need to talk about suicide, as a nation, as a community, as a fellow human, as a friend. We may never know if our conversation has actually saved a life, but we do know that it might.”
Having come close to suicide himself he now works to save others from this preventable cause of death.
Beano decided to do something about suicide in Durham. As well as supporting people directly, he wanted to reach out to those who may be alone. He knew that it had to be free and easily accessible. A free internet song seemed to fit the bill and so the plan was hatched to write a song that might be able to save someone from suicide.
The RTProjects pals (service users) embraced the idea. One of them said. “It’s a fantastic idea. I reached out and came here but I know of others who didn’t.”
Working with local musician Steve Pledger the song was born. ‘NEVER GIVE UP’ was written from Beano’s own experience of suicidal thoughts.
The song along with a video made during lockdown largely from footage already captured by Beano has now been viewed over 1,600 times on You Tube. The idea is that people can simply share it as a link to those who may be struggling; a simple and completely free way of offering hope to others.
Does it work? These words from a suicide survivor suggest yes: “When all I see is nothing and all I feel is nothing, Never Give Up lyrics enter my mind. Bringing hope and possibility at its core waiting for me to write my next paragraph”
What started as a song is now RTProjects’ suicide intervention campaign, with an annual ‘Never Give Up’ awareness raising concert with Durham University Music Society, public talks and T-shirt sales. Wearing the T-shirt is an open invitation to have a conversation around suicide.
To hear Never Give Up, or share the link with any of your contacts, visit https://youtu.be/S9ryfolLZZk. You never know who may be struggling. It may save someone’s life.
You can find out more about this years NEVER GIVE UP Variety Show in Durham on Sunday 6th March 2022, on their Facebook Event Page.