What We Do at The Life Matters

The Life Matters is a UK charity dedicated to preventing self-harm and suicide in children and young people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviours, or emotional distress. We provide our unique A Child’s Voice programme and support as early intervention, giving  hope to those facing the darkest moments of their lives.

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At The Life Matters, we are dedicated to preventing self-harm and suicide among children and young people by providing compassionate, timely, and specialist support.

 

Our vision is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported — especially during times of emotional crisis. Our team includes a board of trustees experienced professionals with backgrounds in child protection, social work, and mental health, all committed to safeguarding vulnerable children. We understand the devastating impact of self-harm and suicide, not only on young people but also on families, schools, and communities.

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Despite the tireless efforts of those working in frontline services, there remain serious gaps in the system. A lack of accessible mental health services and poor collaboration between mental health and social care agencies often leaves children without the joined-up support they urgently need. This disconnect can delay early intervention and, in some cases, lead to tragic outcomes.

We believe that the principles set out in the Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004 — particularly the duty to promote the welfare of the child and ensure effective multi-agency cooperation — must be more than legal requirements; they must be a lived reality.

 

The Life Matters exists to bridge these gaps, advocate for integrated care in their delivery of services to ensure that no child falls through the cracks. We work alongside families, schools, health professionals, and local authorities to deliver direct support, raise awareness, and push for systemic change.

 

Because every life matters — and every child deserves hope, support, and a future.

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​​​Our Core Services

A Child’s Voice – 10-Week self healing Programme

This is the UK’s first and only accredited, child-led programme designed specifically for children aged 8 to 18 who are self-harming or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Developed in partnership with children and connects existing clinical research to social work practices. The programme empowers participants to build resilience, emotional literacy, and safe coping strategies.

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Key Features:

• Accredited 10-week programme workbook 

• Focused on themes such as anxiety, imposter syndrome, emotional regulation, and boundaries etc.

• "Measures outcomes through wellbeing scales and feedback loops, while also providing each child with immediate, accessible safeguarding information to help them understand their rights and how to seek help safely."

• Delivered and available to families, local authorities, school, social services, and corporate providers working with vulnerable children

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Early Intervention & Crisis Prevention

Our early intervention model bridges critical gaps in local mental health services. Working in partnership with schools, local authorities, and social services, we offer:

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• Early prevention, 1:1 emotional support for at-risk children

• Safety planning and risk reduction strategies

• Holistic family support and liaison with safeguarding professionals

• Working in partnership with  school staff on managing disclosures and supporting wellbeing

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Professional Training & Capacity Building

“The A Child’s Voice CPD-accredited training equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to better understand the emotional challenges children and young people face, particularly around their feelings, safety, and identity.

 

The 10-week workbook programme is designed to build resilience, strengthen self-awareness, and empower young people to find and use their voice. Through trauma-informed care, it introduces effective coping mechanisms to help reduce and prevent self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

 

Participants gain the confidence to respond with empathy and professionalism, using evidence-based, best-practice approaches to support vulnerable children in a safe and meaningful way.”

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Our Aim

To transform the lives of children, young people, and families by delivering evidence-based services that promote emotional wellbeing and mental health across the entire family unit.

 

We are committed to ensuring that every child’s voice is heard—particularly during moments of crisis. Our approach goes beyond intervention to focus on prevention, connection, and empowerment.

 

By actively listening to children and providing them with the tools to manage their emotions, we aim to mitigate the long-term effects of unaddressed mental health challenges. This mission lies at the core of our purpose and guides all our efforts.

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How to Get Involved

As a registered charity, The Life Matters depends on public support to continue its life-saving work. You can support us by:

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• Donating via JustGiving

• Shopping online through Easy Fundraising

• Volunteering or fundraising in your community

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Every donation helps us deliver more support, in more places, to the children who need it most.

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Clear evidence from our “A Child’s Voice” workbook programme has demonstrated that participating children show, before or upon completion  a significant reduction in self-harming behaviours and suicidal thoughts or attempts.

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Together, we can make a difference — because every life matters.

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