Garden of Hope brings suicide awareness to Lincolnshire's estates
98 community-designed butterflies honour lives lost — and invite visitors to pause, reflect and talk
A striking art installation honouring lives lost to suicide is drawing visitors to Ayscoughfee Hall, as part of a wider tour across the county.
The Garden of Hope, created by the charity Evelyn’s Butterfly Effect, features 98 hand-decorated butterflies, each representing a life lost to suicide in Lincolnshire in 2024.
Every butterfly has been designed by a different community group, from schoolchildren to care home residents, each carrying its own message of hope.
Set among bluebells, tulips and blossom trees, the installation is deliberately placed in a quieter corner of the gardens, encouraging visitors to slow down and reflect.
“It’s a really tranquil corner of the garden, so you can have a moment to yourself while you walk around and have a look," said Rachel Marriott, Visitor Operations Manager at Gunby Hall.
The project aims to challenge stigma around suicide and open up difficult conversations.
“The idea is to start a conversation and remove the stigma around suicide and support those who’ve been affected by it,” Rachel added.
“Having the butterflies here… just slows everybody down and sort of makes you pause and enjoy a little moment,” Rachel said.
The Garden of Hope will remain at Ayscoughfee Hall until May 30, before continuing its tour to Burghley House in Stamford.