Lincolnshire's Garden of Hope Announces Tour Dates Across Historic Venues
A poignant and powerful art installation designed to foster crucial conversations about mental health and suicide prevention is set to tour several of Lincolnshire's most cherished locations. The Garden of Hope, a community-led initiative, will be displayed at multiple historic houses and parks throughout the spring and summer months, offering visitors a space for reflection and dialogue.
Confirmed Tour Schedule for the Moving Installation
The installation will move across the county according to the following carefully planned schedule:
- Belton House: March 15 to April 18
- Gunby Hall: April 20 to May 9
- Ayscoughfee Hall: May 11 to May 30
- Burghley House: June 1 to June 20
- Whisby Nature Park: June 22 to July 18
- Grantham House: July 20 to September 30
The Profound Meaning Behind the 98 Butterflies
Each of the ninety-eight steel butterflies in the installation represents and honours one of the ninety-eight lives lost to suicide that were registered in Lincolnshire in 2024. It is important to note that suicide registration figures are based on the date of registration of death, which occurs after an inquest and can sometimes take more than a year to complete.
The collective impact of these losses extends far beyond the individuals. Research indicates that a single suicide can profoundly affect up to 135 people. Therefore, the installation also symbolises the estimated 13,230 family members, friends, colleagues, and community members who are left carrying the weight of that grief.
"Our aim is simple: to open important conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and—most importantly—hope," said Jenni Swift, co-founder of the project. "We know the word 'suicide' can feel daunting, but by talking about it, we can dismantle stigma and plant seeds of hope."
A Truly Community-Created Artwork
Every butterfly has been lovingly painted by members of the local community, including schools, groups, families, and individuals. This participation reflects how deeply these issues resonate across all ages and backgrounds, from pre-school children to residents in retirement communities.
The steel structures for the butterflies were fabricated locally by Grantham Fabrication, who provided design expertise and unwavering support. The project has been generously funded by the SK Community Fund, with additional support from Grantham Arts for hosting community workshops. Special thanks are extended to all hosting locations, particularly the National Trust at Belton House, for their essential partnership.
Inspired by Legacy and Symbolism
The project is run by Evelyn's Butterfly Effect, a community initiative established by Jack and Jenni in loving memory of their daughter, Evelyn Gibson, who died by suicide in 2022 at the age of 15. Evelyn was known for her kind heart, and this project honours her legacy by encouraging kindness, connection, and positive change around mental health.
The butterfly was chosen as a central symbol for its representation of transformation, freedom, and hope. Its journey from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly serves as a gentle reminder that change, even when slow or challenging, can lead to something beautiful.
The organisers were inspired by other powerful public art installations, such as CALM's Missed Birthdays and the Headlight Project's Garden of Hope, which demonstrated how art can visualise statistics, hold space for grief, and spark vital community connections.
"We hope the Garden of Hope will catch people's attention from a distance with its colour and beauty, and then, as they step closer, reveal the true meaning behind the butterflies," added Jenni Swift. "That moment of realisation can be incredibly powerful. When communities create something beautiful and meaningful together, people feel seen, supported, and less alone."
