The ManKind Initiative was the first charity in Great Britain to support male victims of domestic abuse (registered in 2001). Since then, they have been at the forefront of providing services and support for male victims and campaigning to ensure that male victims receive the support they need from other organisations. Their aim is to ensure all male victims of domestic abuse (and their children) are supported to enable them to escape from the situation they are in. Helpline: 01823 334244, weekdays 10am to 4pm.

Your Sanctuary offers a specialist male service, which is available to men across Surrey. This is a community-based service which offers emotional and practical support, as well as information, advice and safety planning. Helpline: 01483 776822, 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week.

Despite having friends, family & coworkers around each day, most men don’t get to talk about what’s on their minds. Nor do we have healthy male role models to learn from. This peculiar isolation results in:

• Challenges feeling more difficult to navigate

• Pressure and overwhelm

• Anxiety and depression

• Rocky relationships

• Poor boundaries (“Nice Guy Syndrome”)

• Loneliness

• A lack of results

• Unhealthy behaviors & addictions (Porn etc)

The impact of the absent father on boys follows them into adulthood. These boys are at risk of growing into men who have problems with behaviour, emotional stability, relationships with significant others and even their own children.

We exist to address this huge social issue.

MensCraft is a Norfolk-based charity focusing exclusively on the health and wellbeing of men.  We support men facing life’s challenges or experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

We offer information, activities and programmes and provide one-to-one support and access to other specialist services. Our range of activities give men purpose, the opportunity for connection with others, and for improved wellbeing.

We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all, regardless of age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and faith.

in their life, and especially during childhood.

This relationship is most commonly filled by

 their dad but when this isn’t possible,

another significant man in a boy’s life could

 take this place.

MAN&BOY offer a number of opportunities designed to build trust and confidence between men & boys, to create strong and positive relationships. The video gives you a flavour of how MAN&BOY works.

MAN&BOY currently operates in South West London and the Surrey areas.

Opportunities include: Weekend camping adventures, 6-week ‘MAN&BOY’ Relationship Building Courses - Climb and Connect courses, mentoring for fathers and reunion events for participants throughout the year.

The organisation was born out of concern at the continuing escalation of self-destructive and anti-social behaviour among young men from every section of society, together with the realisation that any meaningful and sustainable solution entails the reclamation of shared local responsibility.

One of the key ways

We believe in the potential of every young person – even when they don’t believe in it themselves. We know they are capable of great things.

By changing lives through non-contact boxing and therapeutic talk sessions, we help these young people develop their physical and mental health, to build their resilience and self-esteem. We want to see these young people grow the confidence they need to go after their dreams, and live their lives to the full.

With your support, we can reach even more young people who really need someone fighting in their corner. Will you help show a young person there is another way?

The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focusing on male victims of domestic abuse. The charity collaborates and works in close partnership with other organisations and practitioners to support these victims too.

We were the first in Great Britain to support male victims. Our expertise derives from directly supporting male victims since 2001, our qualified professionals who manage the charity and our board which also consists of the UK’s leading academics and survivors.

Our three main activities are based on:

• Direct support to male victims through a national helpline funded by donations (over 2,000 calls per year)

• Support for organisations and practitioners who want to better recognise, support and understand male victims. This is through our specialist training, consultancy and support service, MIDASS and the national community and information network for practitioners that we created, own and manage, MDAN

• Giving male victims a voice by engaging with stakeholders such as the government, statutory agencies, politicians, academia and the media.

Our aim is to ensure all male victims of domestic abuse (and their children) are supported to enable them to escape from the situation they are in. We are gender inclusive in our view so we want all female victims (and their children) to escape too.

The Charity was registered in April 2018 with the intention of raising awareness to male domestic abuse through sports and outdoor activities. Due to the gap in service for support for males experiencing domestic abuse, the response to the Foundation grew considerably.  Our office was opened in February 2019 by Barbara Lavelle and Neville Southall, the organisation was established and has grown from strength to strength ever since.   

Us Brits are not very good at talking about what goes on between the sheets or down south. But, with infertility affecting around 1 in 6 couples in the UK, it’s time to break the silence.

There is a real lack of support for men experiencing male fertility issues, so the HIMfertility campaign was set up by comedian Rhod Gilbert, to encourage men to talk about fertility problems and signpost them and their partners to much-needed support.

FNF is dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with preserving a child’s connection with both parents amid and after family breakdowns. Established in 1974, FNF provides crucial support to thousands of parents annually.

For a membership fee that is less than the cost of a few minutes with a solicitor, individuals gain access to an extensive array of information and support that goes beyond what some legal professionals can offer.

Our purposes according to the constitution are:

1. For the relief of parents and their children and other close family members living in Scotland or having a family member in Scotland who are suffering from the consequences of divorce or separation by providing advice, assistance and other support and, in so doing, helping parents stay in touch with their children after divorce or separation;

2. To further the emotional development of children in Scotland whose parents have divorced or separated by encouraging shared parenting arrangements which enable such children to have continuing and meaningful relationships with both their parents;

3. To conduct study and research into problems concerned with children in Scotland who are deprived of the presence of a parent in their families, and into the problems concerned with establishing good relations between parents living apart from their children, and to publish the useful results of all such study and research in order to encourage appropriate changes in professional and public opinion;

Our work focuses on research, policy, and practice. We publish research reviews, take part in new studies and test promising family interventions; advocate for policy change; produce practice resources; and train practitioners in perinatal, early years, education, and social care services.

musicfootballfatherhood.com is home to the online community of fathers, and men looking to be fathers in the future, from the UK and beyond. We are a resource and a space where dads can be free to talk, listen and read about things that are important to us; stuff like work-life balance, mental health, raising healthy and well rounded children, money management, relationships and of course music and football. We have content for fathers at all stages of your parenting journey, whether you are an expectant dad, working dad or even a grandad!

The modern father is a new breed. We are way more involved and present than ever before. But every father is different. Whether you are a single parent, father of a blended family, a stay-at-home dad or a father of quadruplets, we are here to inspire, inform and support you on your journey.

Our aims are to:

1. Provide a space for dads to share the ups and downs of parenting: we do this through our blog, our Daddy Debates podcast, our monthly online support sessions called The Lodge and our events in partnership with football clubs called Extra Time.

2. Increase representation of diverse fatherhood: we do this through our work in the media showcasing a wide range of fathers

3. Champion gender equality in the workplace, at home and in football: we do this through our workshops and talks in organisations

And to support all of our aims, we are super proud that on 1st June 2021 we published our new book, DAD: untold stories of fatherhood, love, mental health and masculinity.

DAD is a deeply moving and inspiring collection of 20 stories that represent the diversity of modern fatherhood and seeks to start a conversation that challenges the traditions associated with masculinity. DAD is an amazon Top 10 bestseller and is an essential book for dads. Dad is out now and available from all the major book retailers, including Waterstones, WH Smith and Amazon.

To keep up to date with all we have going on, join our mailing list here and follow us on social media here.

Why, when I took my son out, was I constantly told by random strangers that “I was a good boy for babysitting and giving mum some time off”, or did I need some help with the simplest of tasks like I was some 70s sitcom character or bumbling buffoon that couldn’t change a nappy.”

Why was it so hard to find other dads and male carers that understand; the dad guilt, the struggles with work/life balance, and know how to do things that I don’t?

The battles with mental or physical health issues that no one ever talks about. And fellas with whom you are okay to say, “I’m having a really shitty time of it lately, and I don’t know what to do”, but also got my daft sense of humour, cultural references, had the same music tastes, or could relate to my social awkwardness.

I came to the stark realisation that I couldn’t be the only one that felt like that.

It was then that I decided that something needed to change and that getting it done was the hill I was prepared to die on”.

Men’s Sheds encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their local communities.

Improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation.

BaggyTrousersUK is a cancer charity based in the North West of England, it was founded by Jack Broadley in 2014. After going through his own experience of testicular cancer at the age of 21, Jack decided to take on this challenge to embark on a journey that would inspire him to helping others that have been affected by the illness that he’d once had. Jack felt an inherent urge to make a difference in the lives of males affected by testicular cancer and that, with the charity being run by a survivor, he could get the message across to others by the telling of his experience.

Our Aims 

1. To promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of testicular cancer.
2. To provide financial assistance, support, education and practical advice to those affected by testicular cancer.
3. To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to testicular cancer.

What We Do 

As a charity we deliver a number of different services, we raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, actively promoting the benefits of early detection and encouraging males to visit their GP if they detect any of the signs or symptoms.

We deliver engaging awareness talks and showcase awareness exhibitions/stands in public and corporate places handing out self-help materials such as leaflets, posters and step-by-step checking cards.

We provide financial and peer support to men who have been directly affected by testicular cancer via telephone, email, social media and a monthly peer support group.

We host daily live MenCheck-in men's groups online, monthly accredited MenFacilitate online facilitator trainings (live and online), special interest themed groups, private 'closed' groups, in-person retreats, and an online community network that promotes conscious connection in men and healthy masculinity.

We also provide links to quality information and support, and encourage men to look after themselves better.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation has no paid staff at present, so there are limits on our activity. However, we provide talks to men across the country about their health, write widely on men’s health issues for a variety of online and print sources, and provide a signposting service for men and their families, pointing them in the right direction towards advice and support offered by other charities or the NHS. If you would like to arrange a talk for men at your organisation, company or other venue, do please contact us.

It is our belief that by working together with other charities in education and awareness campaigns, many male lives can be saved. Too many men are dying too young, or suffering from avoidable health problems, partly as a result of a lack of awareness of health issues and not seeking help soon enough. We’re here to push positive health and wellbeing for men, as well as encourage them to seek more support from friends, families or doctors.

And remember – whenever you see somebody wearing a blue ribbon, they are aware and have made a contribution towards support men’s health and wellbeing! Please support our efforts!

Fundamental to the support we provide is our commitment to ensure the needs of colour blind children  are not overlooked. Our website includes specific sections for families and guidance for those working in the education sector, providing resources such as factsheets, videos and training for teachers and schools.

In sport we are world leaders. We created the first ever guidance for colour blindness in any sport for UEFA /the English Football Association in 2017. We also worked closely with World Rugby to deliver their guidance on colour blindness in 2021. We  deliver consultancy services across sport, including stadium audits. We are also a founding partner of the EU Sport funded project, Tackling Colour Blindness in Sport (TACBIS), which established the prevalence of colour blindness in elite, male footballers as 5% (one in every male squad).

For businesses and professionals committed to social responsibility and inclusion for their employees and customers, we offer consultancy advice across numerous different sectors. Please visit our sister website Colour Blind Awareness Consulting for more information.

Being diagnosed with cancer is frightening and you may feel isolated.

We can help you with information and support.

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When Rob was told he would have to wait three months for bereavement counselling he was confused as to how to look after his mental health until that point. In February, 2019, Rob lost his dad to pulmonary fibrosis, a degenerative lung disease. Rob got through the immediate week after, planning and speaking at the funeral, but as the days passed he properly came face-to-face with grief. Not wanting to allow himself to become consumed by the feeling, in early March 2019 Rob reached out to his GP who referred him to a bereavement charity. The charity, however, informed him they had no appointments available until June, three months later.

​

Inspired by his own traumatic experiences and his growing awareness for male suicide rates, Rob used local Facebook groups to put out some feelers for a men's mental wellbeing group. After several positive responses from locals, Rob established Lads & Dads.

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Now in to it's third year, our group now has over 2000 active members with 10 committee members that work hard to ensure the group remains effective.

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Those in the group benefit from having large open conversations with people they don't even know, regular sea dips as well as organised wellbeing events in local community centres.

The first James’ Place opened in June 2018 in Liverpool, the first of its kind in the UK. Our second James’ Place centre opened in London in 2022. Our third centre in Newcastle opened in early 2024. We offer safe, friendly, non-clinical environments, where suicidal men are cared for and respected.

We will open two new centres by the end of 2026. With five centres open we will be able to treat up to 2,000 men per year.

Our mission is to stop young adults dying from germ cell cancer - we do this through raising awareness with our life-saving cancer campaigns, engaging young adults with our digital education programmes & empowering the germ cell cancer community across the UK.

We aim to provide information on foreskin health conditions and how to resolve them without having to resort to unnecessary and unwanted surgery. We work to improve public and professional awareness about the function and value of the male foreskin as well as the complications and harms associated with circumcision affecting some men.

Finally, we work to help those affected by circumcision by providing support and advice.

The information on this website is designed to help individuals affected by foreskin health conditions, as well as individuals affected by circumcision issues including;

• Psychological damage

• Physical problems

• Issues of sexual function resulting from the above

• Personal dissatisfaction

On this website you can find foreskin health information and advice for intact men, as well as information for men with circumcision issues. This information is also targeted towards parents and carers. We teach about conservative techniques to help avoid unnecessary circumcision and help assist men who have been harmed. 15 Square promotes research, accurate health information, and informed consent.

If you would like to find out more or get in touch, you can follow the links below, or check our blog section for regular news and updates, or visit our social media.

We were founded in 2019 after Stu, our Founder & CEO lost two friends to suicide within 4 days. Up to that point, Stu was a product of male dominated environments where even talking about feelings or emotions was seen as a sign of weakness.

“As an Armed Forces veteran, industrial engineer that has played rugby my entire life, I fully understand the position men find themselves in, feeling they must be strong and silent and how damaging toxic masculinity can be, when it goes unchallenged. We all have our demons and darkest hours and for some, these are worse than others. We can feel that reaching out to talk to someone is a sign of weakness, somehow asking for help would make them less of a man…etc. Quite frankly, this vicious cycle needs to stop quickly.”

The idea stemmed from seeing a couple of beer mats with simple messages about checking on a mate who has been quiet or missing lately. This sparked something inside Stu and within a few hours of setting up a small Facebook group he had offers of help and support from so many people it was overwhelming. Within less than 6 weeks of starting what was a small online movement, We had distributed over 150,000 beer mats and 10,000 emergency contact cards worldwide and our latest parcels have reached as far as Australia, the Falklands, Afghanistan, and Japan. Since January 2020 we have been a registered UK charity and have also proudly signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

We provide a one stop shop for mental health support. In the first instance, to provide somewhere for those seeking help, support or just someone different to talk to. We also want to offer guidance for others that have been affected because of mental health issues. Amongst our support offerings we have are weekly peer support groups providing non-judgemental environments for people to attend a support one another. We also run a free to use text support service, deliver free mental health training to non-profits, community groups and grass roots sports clubs. We believe that money should never be a barrier to accessing support or enhancing your knowledge around mental health, which is why all our services are completely free of charge to the end service user.

To date, we have delivered over 2,500 hours of FREE mental health training and supported over 6,300 people who have accessed our variety of services, and long may this continue as we grow and achieve our goal of supporting every person in need.

A final thanks must go to our army of volunteers who work tirelessly to support Tough Enough To Care and without them, we simply would not exist. They volunteer their own time to ensure others have support when they need it most.

Thank you for everything,

The TETC team

More recently we moved towards developing expert advisory panels to provide oversight of our projects. These comprise on experts with lived experience, people bereaved by suicide, clinicians and researchers. These advisory panels provide ongoing support and guidance on how to progress the work of Men’s Minds Matter.

Men who contact StrongMen for support will be triaged, based on their completed application form, and follow up calls (if necessary). Dependent on this process beneficiaries will be offered the opportunity to speak with one of our trained volunteers for a friendly chat. Each beneficiary will receive up to six weeks of peer support from StrongMen.

The service seeks to capitalise on the connection felt between two people with similar shared life experiences, simply knowing your volunteer has empathy with your situation maximises trust without fear of judgement.

All our peer support volunteers have received support themselves from one of our services.

We provide accessible in-person and online training, events, initiatives and resources to reduce the number of people who feel like suicide is their only option. We want to give you the confidence to support someone to stay safe for now because…

Every year, International Men’s Day in the UK is marked by more and more women, men and organisations across the country.  Across November there are Parliamentary debates, policy launches, employer days (perfect for showcasing Diversity Equality Inclusion – DEI / EDI), community events, health days, business events, staff support days, debates, student events, political events, lectures, research launches, gigs, charity promotion days,  book launches, mental health discussions, film showings, conferences, competitions, comedy nights, get-togethers, award announcements and charity fundraisers – the most anywhere in the world.

There were c200 organisations involved in 2018, 2019 and 2020.  In 2021 though there was an estimated 400 organisations, 2022  saw around 600 plus more in 2023 . There were over 100,000 tweets and it was the hottest trend for hours!  

Organisations and people do not have to stick to holding an event or celebration on 19 November if they want to mark the day. 

The three core themes for International Men’s Day in the UK which are used every year to help  maximise participation are:

• Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys

• Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing

• Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity

Please feel free to use any of them (or a combination) as a “guide/framework” for any events and activities that you may hold. Many focus on “Caring for men cares for everyone”, “Supporting our Men and Boys”, “Supporting Men and Boys”, “Better Health for Men and Boys”, “It’s OK to Talk” “Supporting male wellbeing” and “Raising awareness/funds for x” type-themes, for example. Many also get involved and invite/support charities and other groups.

We keep it general because people/organisations have told us they do not want to be constrained  by one specific theme on one specific topic. Please see the themes page for more information and ideas.

The Men and Boys Coalition will be using “Caring for men cares for everyone”.

It is an inclusive platform that supports men and boys in all forms. 

These core themes help to address some of the issues that affect men and boys such as:

• The high male suicide rate

• The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education and work including attainment, re-training, stress, redundancy and unemployment

• Men’s health (including male cancers), shorter life expectancy, body image and workplace deaths – plus the health impact of Covid-19

• The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society – for instance, homeless men, boys in care, school excluded boys and the high rate of male deaths in custody

• Male victims of violence and crime – for instance, bullying, sexual violence, gang violence, and, those coerced into county lines and other criminal activity

• The challenges faced by men as parents, particularly new fathers and separated fathers

• Male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based crime, stalking. online image-abuse, sextortion and modern slavery

• Boys with no positive male role models in their lives

• The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers

Key statistics on the above can be found here

How to get involved!

To help with ideas on how to get involved, this page may help, plus  many organisations and people looked at what others were doing in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019,  2018 (and here), 2017, 2016  and in 2015. See who was involved in 2021 and 2022.

International Men’s Day (IMD) is a global day of observance held every year around the world. It invites every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to come together, to support and celebrate men and boys in all their diversity.

IMD in the UK takes a gender inclusive approach and therefore believes in ensuring that issues affecting women and girls are also resolved.  It also recognises the intersection between gender and other factors such as race, place, class  and sexuality which can compound the inequalities affecting men and boys.

We trust that you will find the information on this website valuable in spurring you into celebrating the role men and boys play in our society, highlighting the barriers they face and having some serious fun. If you need further information, please contact us here.

If you are interested in Men and Boys issues all year round – please look at the Men and Boys Coalition.

Best wishes and good luck!

Ally, Ben, Caroline, Dan, Duncan, Geoffrey, Glen, Mark, Maz, Sonia and Yousif

Men who contact StrongMen for support will be triaged, based on their completed application form, and follow up calls (if necessary). Dependent on this process beneficiaries will be offered the opportunity to speak with one of our trained volunteers for a friendly chat. Each beneficiary will receive up to six weeks of peer support from StrongMen.

The service seeks to capitalise on the connection felt between two people with similar shared life experiences, simply knowing your volunteer has empathy with your situation maximises trust without fear of judgement.

All our peer support volunteers have received support themselves from one of our services.

Bereavement is misunderstood and under supported:

• Millions of people – all ages – are bereaved in the UK every year, but society doesn’t fully understand the impact or provide adequate support.

  • Every aspect of life can be affected: practical, emotional, physical, relational, behavioural, spiritual and psychological.

  • Therapists are often the only support known. They can be costly and over-subscribed.

Bereavement support is prevention, contributing to the health and well-being of our society:

• Unsupported grief is a main contributor to many societal issues, including mental and physical ill-health, relationship breakdown, job loss, addiction and debt.

  • Finding timely help can make all the difference, enabling bereaved people to navigate their circumstances and reach a healthy, new normal.

Local support contacts listen and share with the bereaved. Parents can feel a great relief as they talk about their son or daughter – the way he or she died, his or her place in the life of the family - feelings they may find difficult to express elsewhere.

Our local support contacts provide a safe environment for bereaved parents and their families to express themselves in the company of others who understand their grief. They are there if you would just like to talk, in person, by phone or by email.

Support Group Meetings

Some local contacts hold group support meetings where bereaved parents can talk and share together in a private and safe place with others who truly understand what it means to be a bereaved parent. If you feel a group could be helpful for you, do call our Helpline on 0345 123 2304 for more details for your nearest group or email us.

Life-transforming solutions to help people overcome barriers, build better futures and foster personal wellbeing.

This started as one weekly walk in Beckenham Place Park (SE London) in 2021.  

Now in 2025 we have 17 walks across the United Kingdom providing this. 

Our aim now is to continue to expand these walks and provide further spaces for Men to attend.

Men who contact StrongMen for support will be triaged, based on their completed application form, and follow up calls (if necessary). Dependent on this process beneficiaries will be offered the opportunity to speak with one of our trained volunteers for a friendly chat. Each beneficiary will receive up to six weeks of peer support from StrongMen.

The service seeks to capitalise on the connection felt between two people with similar shared life experiences, simply knowing your volunteer has empathy with your situation maximises trust without fear of judgement.

All our peer support volunteers have received support themselves from one of our services.

Domestic abuse affects people of all genders, yet men often face additional barriers to seeking support. While women are disproportionately affected, it is important to recognise that men can also be victims and ensure they know help is available.

Tragically, domestic abuse-related death reviews in Surrey have highlighted cases where men, feeling isolated and unsupported, have taken their own lives. Many hesitate to reach out due to stigma or fear of not being believed. This silence can have serious consequences, not only in cases of physical harm but also for those experiencing coercive control or emotional abuse.

Dean experienced first-hand how opening up and showing vulnerability encouraged others to do the same. After attending a  community men's walking group  in Greenwich Park and seeing the positive impact it had, he decided to trial a similar idea for men connected to the services. This is how Walk & Talk 999 was born.

We are a group of volunteers who run free, leisurely walks for men at various locations across the UK. Our passion is rooted in a shared commitment—to improve mental wellbeing within the Service community and to break down the barriers that too often stop men from reaching out for help.

• Call 111 and choose the mental health option to speak to our crisis resolution team

or

• Call us directly on 0800 915 4644

This service is free and open to people of all ages in Surrey and North East Hampshire.

If you are at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

MenWalkTalk is a UK charity that creates safe, supportive spaces for men to walk, talk and connect with others.

We organise free, volunteer-led walk-and-talk groups in parks, along seafronts, through woodlands and towns, bringing men together in a relaxed, pressure-free way to support their mental wellbeing.

There’s no pressure to talk, no judgement and no expectations. Whether you want to open up, listen or just enjoy being around others, you’ll be welcomed exactly as you are.

What started with a single walk in Littlehampton has now grown into a network of men walking and talking across the UK. 

Every walk is built on the same simple belief: that walking side by side can change lives.

So whether you’re looking for support, wanting to meet new people or just need a reason to get outside, MenWalkTalk is here for you.

Our courses are delivered by specially trained Recovery Coaches, who have lived experience of mental or physical ill health, alongside mental health professionals. They provide information, strategies and skills that help people to become experts in their own self-care.

People who would like support with managing their wellbeing, family and friends who would like to learn how to support loved ones, and healthcare professionals can all benefit from these courses.

Our courses cover mental and physical health and are held either virtually or in safe and supportive learning spaces.

Recovery College is open to anyone aged 18+ living in Surrey and Northeast Hampshire. Enrolling in our courses is easy and entirely self-referral. You can explore and sign up for all our courses here.

Reasons to Stay is a suicide prevention project reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers.

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Each letter on this site was written by a real person and delivered to you at random when you visited this page.

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This space exists as a reminder that we are not alone, even when it feels that way. There is someone, somewhere who wrote you a letter because they care.

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If you'd like to, you can write your own letter to a stranger giving warmth, hope and connection to someone when they need it most.​

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All letters are moderated by a wonderful team of volunteer clinical moderators who are all clinically trained professionals with experience supporting people in distress. The team ensure that all letters are safe to be read by people in suicidal distress before they are published to the site and delivered to visitors.

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This project was designed in memory of Sam West, who took his own life in 2018. If you’re struggling right now, reaching out to a support service or someone you trust could really help. Find resources here.

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Created by Ben West

 I realised as a therapeutic counsellor that I wanted to do things a little differently. Use my passion for creativity, the outdoors and animals alongside the more traditional talking therapy session to help clients and provide a unique experience which is a little different from the norm. Why not it's always served me well in the past and gives me great comfort and insite when life is hard. So Puddles Not Muddles was born and each year it grows and flourishes a little more,  new plants grow, new animals arrive and with them come more opportunity's and more learning for me and for our clients and visitors. Almost as if it was meant to be, and that this little farm nestled away near Heathrow airport lost and forgotten is so happy that it now has a big purpose. 

If you would like to talk about how counselling could help you or you are interested in knowing more about what we do please call Gemma 07860100577 or contact us via the contact form.

Our work is simple yet vital: to educate and empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and strategies they need to navigate the complex demands of today’s world with resilience and confidence. By doing so, we aim to prevent mental health issues spiralling out of control and build a brighter future for all.

• A support programme for dads, expectant fathers, and partners

• Focuses on early parenting, bonding, and emotional wellbeing

• Offers guidance and signposting across:

  • Education (e.g. pregnancy, baby care, sleep, coping with crying)

  • Wellbeing (mental health, support networks)

  • Crisis support (links to urgent help if needed)

The name ICON stands for:

• I – Infant crying is normal

• C – Comfort methods can help soothe a baby

• O – It’s OK to walk away for a short time if you feel overwhelmed

• N – Never, ever shake a baby [westsussexscp.org.uk]

ICON’s main aim is to prevent abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome) by giving simple advice, reassurance, and support to families. It works with the NHS and other organisations to educate parents, reduce stress, and promote safe, healthy responses to infant crying.

BASIS explains what is “normal” baby sleep and offers guidance on safe sleep, where babies sleep, and how parents can respond to them. It is run by the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre and shares up‑to‑date scientific evidence in a clear, accessible way. [durham.ac.uk], [basisonline.org.uk]