Children’s Self-Harm Intervention & Suicide Prevention Charity 1193469​​​
A Child’s Voice®: The UK’s Only 10-Week Self-Harm & Suicide Prevention Programme Co-Designed with Children and Young People​​
Aligned with NHSE Staying Safe From Suicide Integrating "A Child’s Voice" with National School Mental Health Frameworks
Parents are welcome to visit our hub to find out about our services.
When: Fridays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Broadside, Leviathan Way, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4LL
Come along, ask questions, and learn how we can support your child.
Finalist
Pride in Medway
2026 Award
​Every Child Deserves Hope, Were Here to Help
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We don't just talk, we make real change
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Preventing Child Suicide Through Early Intervention​​
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​The Problem
Many children are:
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Struggling in silence
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Missing early intervention
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reaching crisis before support is available
We exist to change that ​
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Our Solution
A Child’s Voice® is our flagship 10-week early intervention programme focused specifically on self-harm and suicide prevention. To our knowledge is the only programme of its kind in the UK
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Co-designed with young people and grounded in:
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Bridging clinical research with social work practices
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Suicide risk awareness and structured safety planning
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Trauma-informed, strengths-based care
It is delivered directly to children already presenting with risk in schools or professional settings.
This is structured intervention — not signposting.
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Measured Outcomes & What we've achieved
In our most recent cohort:
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95% reduction in self-harm and suicidal thoughts
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0 suicide attempts during programme delivery
Across all cohorts:
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60 children directly supported
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180+ family members reached
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no suicide attempts recorded during participation
Our model combines:
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evidence-informed practice
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frontline safeguarding experience
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lived experience co-design
Programmes are evaluated using CORC-aligned outcome measures, tracking measurable improvements in wellbeing, confidence, and help-seeking behaviour.
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Recognition
Recognised locally
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BBC RADIO KENT -Making A Difference in the community
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Nominated for Pride in Medway Awards 2026
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Get involved
Help us reach more children
​Continuous Personal Development Training development
​Fund a programme Support delivery of A Childs Voice® in Schools
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Sponsor a child From £10, help a child access early intervention support
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​Partner with us Work with us to scale prevention nationally
Our Mission
To provide evidence-based early intervention and support for children and young people who are at risk of self-harm, are currently self-harming, or have made suicide attempts. Through A Child’s Voice, we protect, support, and empower children, ensuring they are heard, safe, and resilient. Our services respond to crisis, promote recovery, and equip children and families with the tools to prevent future harm.
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Our Vision
We envision a UK where every child has access to A Child’s Voice programmes — where no child suffers in silence, no family faces crisis alone, and every young person has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and build resilience.
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"I want my voice to be heard"
We listened to you and with your help designed the A Childs Voice programme.
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"Driving Change Through the Power of a Child’s Voice"​
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1. Child-Led Development
The programme was created with the input of young people who shared their ideas, experiences, and feedback. For example, a 15-year-old contributor helped shape the workbook and explained how valuable a resource like this would have been during her own challenges. Children’s voices are central to everything we do.
2. Evidence-Informed and Multi-Agency Approach
The programme is grounded in clinical research and social work practice. It aligns with UK safeguarding guidance and safety planning standards. We work collaboratively with schools, social care, and mental health professionals to ensure each child receives coordinated and appropriate support.
3. Engaging and Reflective Activities
Sessions include psychology-based activities, interactive exercises, creative tasks, and guided self-reflection. These are designed to build emotional awareness, resilience, confidence, and coping skills in a safe and supportive environment.
4. Monitoring Progress
Age-appropriate well-being measures are used to track progress throughout the programme. This allows young people to see their own growth while also providing clear evidence of positive outcomes.
5. A Young Person’s Journey of Hope
One 12-year-old participant joined the programme after experiencing significant trauma and loss within her family. When she first began, she struggled with overwhelming emotions and trust. Through consistent support, structured activities, and a safe space to express herself, she gradually rebuilt her confidence and sense of hope.
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As part of her progress, she created a drawing to represent what “hope” means to her. With appropriate consent and safeguarding considerations, this artwork is shared as a symbol of resilience and recovery — not of the trauma she experienced, but of the strength she discovered.
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A Child’s Voice® – A Whole-School PSHE Programme
Every Child Deserves to Be Heard Before a Crisis Occurs
Empowering pupils to speak, be heard, and stay safe.
Join our mission as part of your CPD development.
A Child’s Voice is a CPD-accredited 10-week programme supporting early intervention for self-harm and suicide prevention. Developed using clinical research and social work practice, it equips schools and organisations to deliver trauma-informed, child-centred support.
Support Mental Health & Build Resilience in Schools
Aligned with the PSHE and RSHE curriculum, the programme helps pupils develop:
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Emotional literacy
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Coping and resilience skills
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Confidence to seek help
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Safe ways to talk about difficult feelings
Schools receive structured lessons, activities, safeguarding guidance, and ongoing online support from the charity.
Two Delivery Pathways
Whole-School PSHE Licence
Ready-to-deliver 10-week classroom lessons and resources for schools.
One-to-One Practitioner Licence
CPD training enabling professionals to deliver the programme directly with children
and young people who need additional support.
Why Schools Use A Child’s Voice
✔ Strengthens early intervention and safeguarding
✔ Builds resilience and emotional awareness in pupils
✔ Provides structured support for vulnerable children
✔ Supports Ofsted wellbeing and safeguarding priorities
Learn More
All PSHE lessons and programme resources are available.
Click here for more details about the PSHE school licence.
Or email office@thelifematters.co.uk to Book training • Request a licence • Learn more
​Click here for some school testimonials​​​
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Introducing Our Youth Mental Health Awareness Ambassador ........
This new role is part of our commitment to youth engagement—supporting awareness, education, and access to trusted mental health resources.
...........is a student studying criminology and sociology with a strong interest in understanding the social factors that impact young people’s mental health. As a Youth Mental Health Awareness Ambassador at Life Matters, she supports the development and sharing of youth-focused information and resources.
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Alongside her role in school as a peer mentor, she is passionate about raising awareness, reducing stigma, and helping young people access trusted information around self-harm and mental wellbeing. Her work focuses on education and awareness, both within her school community and through digital content.
Testimonial
"In Just 10 Weeks, The Life Matters Transformed What Others Couldn't in Years
""From Silence to Strength — A 10-Week Journey of Healing and Hope"
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Young person, age 15, Victory Academy School, Chatham, 2025
“Before starting A Child’s Voice, I was self-harming and struggling with suicidal thoughts. After making a self-pledge in week 1, I stopped self-harming and began to feel supported. I know my thoughts might come back, but now I have safety planning tools and know how to get help. I haven’t had an FND episode in two weeks, which used to happen every day. I feel less stressed and more confident, and I’ve even been able to return to school. I really enjoyed the programme and will keep using my workbook for support.”
​Parent feedback:
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Mum
“My daughter has become more confident and learned how to express her feelings. The Life Matters has done more for her in 10 weeks than CAMHS has in four years.”
Dad: “She now understands mental health better and is a more confident young lady. This programme has been fantastic—I just wish more children had access to this kind of support. There simply isn’t enough out there.”​​​
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Testimonial
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​We now turn to Maggie Mae for her thoughts on the 'A Child’s Voice' programme — a reminder that children and young people are, indeed, the foremost experts in their own experiences.
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"My name is Maggie-Mae Darcy, and I started the A Childs Voice programme when I was seventeen, The Life Matters came to see me weekly at my school which is Chatham Grammar school.
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Every child / young person should have access to this type of programme as schools do not have time or resources to offer to every child. Before this programme I was struggling with no way to cope with such feelings, but the programme helped me to break these down and understand myself in new ways.
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Each week I had something to do, each day that helped me to broaden my understanding of my feelings and gain deeper knowledge of myself and why I think the way I do.
Before the programme I felt as though my voice didn’t matter, and that I was wrong in feeling the way that I did, but over the 10 weeks it has helped me to gain my confidence with the ability to share how I feel which helped me to validate my emotions, it also helped me to stop self-harming two weeks into the programme which was something I was struggling with.
I was lost before I started this programme at where I wanted to go in my future but after the first week of the programme, I realised my dream would be to help people. This will allow me to use my life experience to help others and that same week I started to apply for university for a placement studying mental health nursing".
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07 February 2025
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"I am so proud of my daughter achieving her certificate for A Childs Voice.
​​So, I would like to say that when you started to see the wellbeing officer, you were probably at the most depressed and lowest point in your life, I had ever seen, with you being taken by me to the hospital due to fear of self - harm. ​
The course has proved to be everything you needed and more to understand your emotions. ​You have shown a real interest and understanding in every part of the course even passing on your knowledge to me.
​I strongly believe this course has been invaluable and has taught you the tools in understanding your emotions going forward, to be able to cope with life’s challenges, I also believe it has given you clear direction on wanting to pursue a career in mental health to help other teens.
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​I’m so grateful to the charity and Mary for her kindness, understanding and professionalism throughout.
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I’m not sure where Maggie would be now if this course had not been available, thank you for everything Mary and team".
What Maggie Mae's mother had to share
The school shares its reflections on the ‘A Child’s Voice’ programme.
Chatham Grammar school's voice
"Maggie has been more focused and it is transparent that she has been able has build her confidence and resilience whilst studying this course. She has not relied on the pastoral team at all throughout the 10-week programme and certainly has a new focus on her future with a new mindset. ​Maggie- Mae would be at our office every day on some weeks seeking emotional support.
​Well done Maggie - Mae with your latest achievement, it is of my opinion that you will definitely be an amazing mental health nurse and we wish you all of the best for the future. A real credit to our school.
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Thank you to The Life Matters for supporting our student"
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​07 Feb 2025 See other Testimonials
The Life Matters relies on donations to provide our life-saving services.
We are grateful for every personal contribution and for the generous support of local companies and organisations whose sponsorship helps us deliver A Child’s Voice and other vital programmes to children and young people at risk.
Accreditations, memberships, alliances and supporters......
Member of the Kent & Medway Child & Young People Suicide Prevention Network
Member of the Kent & Medway Adult Suicide Prevention Network
Member of the Lambeth Child & Young People Suicide Prevention Network
Member of the Southwark Child & Young People Suicide Prevention Network
Member of the Scotland Child & Young People Suicide Prevention Network
Member of the Hertfordshire Child & Young People Suicide Prevention Network
Contact details
Tel: 01634 714088
​Mobile: 07760 464 294
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Email;
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