A local balloon artist recently partnered with the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to highlight an important cause – youth suicide awareness – with a striking installation that captured the attention of people across the nation. We sat down with Natalie, the artist behind this moving display to learn more about their journey and the impact of the campaign.
What drew you to partner with CALM and support their mission??
This campaign was about bringing attention to the youth suicide crisis in the UK. CALM’s creative production team reached out to me after seeing my work online. They noticed I specialise in gigantic balloon installations and have experience with TV and media projects. I was honoured to be asked to be the balloon supplier for this important cause.
What has the response been like from the community, especially knowing the installation is part of raising awareness for mental health with CALM?
The response was truly phenomenal! The installation was featured on ITV’s ‘This Morning‘ every day while the campaign was live, and it even went viral on TikTok and Instagram. I received messages from people all over the world, thanking me for creating this awareness and sharing how they’d been touched by youth suicide. It was heartwarming to see how many people felt connected to the cause.
On top of that, I received incredible feedback from the balloon community. As someone who’s run The Balloon Room for over 20 years, it was such an honour to create something so thought-provoking. Never before has a balloon been used to convey such a powerful message, and it felt like a huge moment for my industry.
What are your hopes for this campaign, both in terms of awareness and supporting people who’ve missed important moments?
My biggest hope is to get more people talking about mental health, especially young people. CALM’s C.A.R.E. kit is a fantastic resource, and I hope it reaches far and wide, encouraging more conversations around mental health. I really want people to visit CALM’s website and get the tools they need to support young people in opening up about their feelings.
How can locals in Stevenage engage with this installation and contribute to CALM’s “Missed Birthdays” initiative?
The campaign itself was only live for three days at Westfield shopping centre in White City, but there’s still plenty of ways to get involved. CALM has a wealth of information on their website, and they’re active across social media, so I’d encourage everyone to check them out and spread the word.
What advice would you give to others in Stevenage who are interested in using their creativity to support meaningful causes like CALM?
My advice would be to have a strong social media presence. It’s the easiest way for organisations to find you and see what you can do. Being visible online is crucial if you want to be part of something bigger, like this campaign.
This installation may have only been temporary, but its impact continues to be felt. By raising awareness of youth suicide and encouraging open conversations about mental health, this local artist has shown that creativity can be a powerful tool in supporting meaningful causes. Let’s keep the conversation going, Stevenage!
