A ‘SPEAK Their Name’ memorial quilt to which Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service (SSBSS) has contributed will be unveiled on Friday, October 10, which is World Mental Health Day.

Individuals across the county have been making squares which were gathered together during September to assemble the first panel.

SSBSS has 25 squares which each tell a part of somebody’s story.

A group of volunteers has now ensured SSBSS met its deadline for the quilt to be ready for its first exhibition, in the Houses of Parliament.

The exhibition features 17 quilt panels from the 11 ‘Speak Their Name’ groups in the UK and will run through to Thursday, October 16.

The panels will be viewed by many MPs and will help to raise awareness of the impact of suicide on the bereaved.

It will be the first time all of the quilts have been shown together, and SSBSS said it was honoured to be there representing Somerset.

A spokesperson said: “Our quilt represents connection, a connection between those who have lovingly created a square, to their loved ones, and to those who have been lost to suicide coming together in the panel, sharing a little of their stories.

“This is an ongoing project, as soon as we have more completed squares, we will start to assemble another panel, so please get in touch so we can send you a pack.

“If you already have a pack and need some support we are here to help.

“Anybody bereaved by suicide can create a memorial square on fabric by embroidery, stitching, painting, or any other artistic route.

“Each unique square is dedicated to their loved one.

“With all the squares sewn together into a quilt, a beautiful memorial is created.”

More information is available on the Speak their Name website.