'My worst fear is that my child will be forgotten'
- Published
A woman who organised the making of a quilt to remember loved ones who took their own lives said her worst fear was that her daughter would "be forgotten".
Jayne Walsham, from Humshaugh in Northumberland, led a project to create a Speak Their Name quilt for the county.
Jodi Jayne Walsham died in January 2021 after struggling with her mental health during Covid.
Mrs Walsham said her daughter was "caring, compassionate, quirky, colourful, beautiful and hilarious".
"She had the temper of the Tasmanian devil, but she lit up every room she went in," she said.
Mrs Walsham said she had made a square for a Yorkshire quilt, as her husband's family came from Sheffield and she felt she had a connection.
She felt it "wasn't the right time" for her to contribute to a North East version, but later decided "to do one just for Northumberland".
"The quilt and its message - Speak Their Name - means just that, come up to me and talk about Jodi, that's what I want," she said.
The quilt is made of 35 squares but, in some cases, families have contributed two or three, either created on their own or in special workshops.
"We've met people who have never met another person who have lost a loved one or family member to suicide," Mrs Walsham said.
"It brings people together, it creates community and that creates resilience and that's what we need to keep going."
According to the Office for National Statistics, the North East has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country and numbers are increasing up by 15.1% from 2022 to 2023. , external
"People are worried about upsetting you by saying your child's name but the reality is that it's worse when they don't," Mrs Walsham said.
The quilt is on display at The Sill at Once Brewed near Hexham until 27 December and then at other venues throughout 2025.
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