Liverpool City Council is encouraging residents to visit a powerful new installation at the city’s historic Cunard Building, which aims to create space for reflection, conversation and understanding around suicide and its impact on individuals, families and communities.
Close to Home, an artistic installation by award-winning artist Mark Storor, opens on Saturday 5 September and runs until 10 October 2026, spanning both World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) and World Mental Health Day (10 October).
Presented by community arts organisation Heart of Glass in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Culture Liverpool and Public Health Liverpool, the installation brings together more than seven years of collaborative work with people who have lived experience of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and bereavement by suicide.
Part of Storor’s long-running project, The Suicide Chronicles, Close to Home transforms the Cunard Building’s Arrivals Hall into a unique space featuring film, photography, sculpture, poetry, music and spoken word. Together, the works explore personal experiences of suicide and loss while encouraging reflection on grief, care, connection and hope.
The installation draws on stories shared by communities across England, Ireland and Wales, including those bereaved by suicide, first responders and others whose lives have been affected by suicide.
As a key partner in the project, Liverpool City Council is supporting Close to Home as part of wider efforts to reduce stigma, encourage conversations about mental health and suicide, and improve access to support.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“Culture Liverpool and Public Health Liverpool are proud to be partnering with Heart of Glass on this important and poignant project.
“Suicide remains a public health priority for Liverpool and our prevention work continues to grow, but the fact that we still don’t talk openly about suicide and it remains a “taboo” subject is one of the biggest challenges in our work.
“By collaborating with partners on projects like Close to Home, we can use the power of art and culture to break down barriers and bring our communities together to learn and reflect, create space for important conversations, and provide access to support for those that need it.
“Talking about mental health and suicide can be difficult, but it’s one of the most important things we can do – research shows that open conversations can raise awareness, break down stigma, encourage people to seek help, and support their wellbeing.
“We are committed to fostering a community where people feel able to speak openly, share their feelings, and access the help they need.”
During its six-week residency, Close to Home will also host a programme of performances, talks and conversations designed to deepen understanding of the issues explored by the installation and encourage city-wide discussion.
The installation has been made possible through support from Arts Council England, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Visit Close to Home
Venue: Cunard Building, Liverpool Waterfront
Dates: 5 September to 10 October 2026
Admission: Free, no booking required
Opening times:
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 11am to 5pm
- Saturday: 12 noon to 6pm
- Thursday, Sunday and Monday: Closed (except for scheduled events and pre-booked visits)
Extended opening hours will take place on selected dates throughout the residency.
For more information, visit: www.heartofglass.org.uk/CloseToHome
Content advisory
Close to Home explores lived and living experiences of suicide and bereavement. While it does not depict suicide, it includes themes that some visitors may find emotionally challenging. Information about support services will be available throughout the installation, and visitors are encouraged to engage with the exhibition in whatever way feels right for them.
Where to go for help
The Kind to your mind website urgent help page offers support for all age groups, directing people to local services and national organisations.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7:
- For urgent mental health support call 111 and choose the mental health option
- Support is available for those bereaved or impacted by suicide
- Call Samaritans on 116 123 for 24-hour listening support.
- In an emergency, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger dial 999
You can also contact your GP for help with mental health and wellbeing or to connect you to local mental health support across Cheshire and Merseyside.
