About 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.

Born from Experience. Driven by Purpose

Mary Brockwell founded The Life Matters Charity as a deeply personal response to the trauma and adversity she has faced throughout her life. Raised in a home marked by mental illness, substance misuse, gambling, and domestic violence, Mary became a young carer to her parents and six siblings, including one with autism who now lives with schizophrenia. She endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and despite disclosing this abuse, those responsible were not held accountable.

From the age of 11, Mary worked in Brixton, London, and by 13 held a full-time job—money that was often taken by her parents but allowed her to meet her own basic needs. Struggling with her mental health, she became involved in gangs and experienced both criminal and sexual exploitation. These early challenges were followed by a series of abusive adult relationships, including a long-term marriage that mirrored the patterns of her childhood.

Mary is neurodivergent, and this aspect of her identity shapes both her empathy and understanding of others who face similar barriers. Her unique perspective brings authenticity and inclusivity to her work, as well as a deep commitment to ensuring every voice is heard.

The devastating loss of her younger brother, Lee, who died by suicide at 25 after years of homelessness, became the catalyst for her mission to create change. Determined to help others avoid the pain she and her family endured, Mary founded The Life Matters Charity to offer support, tools, and resources for building resilience and emotional well-being.

Through her charity, Mary has directly impacted 60 children and 180 family members, empowering them to navigate complex emotions and build coping mechanisms to thrive. Her flagship programme, A Child’s Voice, is designed to help children develop the emotional tools they need to face life's challenges, ensuring no child struggles in silence.

Mary’s vision is to ensure that every child in every school has access to A Child's Voice programme, empowering them with the skills to manage their emotions, navigate challenges, and build resilience. She believes that no child should have to face their emotional struggles alone, and that through education and support, every child can thrive.

Mary is also an international author, sharing her story to inspire others to believe that, despite overwhelming adversity, it’s possible to overcome. Her unwavering commitment to change continues to drive her work, ensuring that every child has access to the support they need and reminding us all that every life truly matters.

Link to her inspiring book

We are incredibly proud of our CEO and Founder, who has been recognised by BBC Radio Kent’s “Making a Difference” for her work in children’s self-harm and suicide prevention for the difference she is making.

To my beautiful little baby brother Lee

For You, Above the Clouds

Up in heaven, where the light is soft and wide,
I hope you feel our love reach where you reside.
Though your voice fell quiet far too soon,
Your spirit still rises with every moon.

This charity stands where your footsteps remain,
Turning sorrow into purpose, loss into gain.
From broken hearts, compassion grew,
A living promise inspired by you.

Your life still speaks in the help we give,
In every soul reminded they deserve to live.
Through kindness shared and hands held tight,
Your legacy becomes hope, your memory light.

We carry your name in all that we do,
With love, with courage, with truth.
Rest gently, brother, your story goes on—
In every life touched, you are never gone.

Lost In Space The
Lighthouse Family
Click here to play the song

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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

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.

National School intergration model

CPD Facilitator training

Child 1-1 support via Charity wellbeing officers

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.”

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.

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:

Donating via JustGiving
Shopping online through Easy Fundraising
Volunteering or fundraising in your community

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

"Clear evidence from our ‘A Child’s Voice®’ workbook programme indicates that participating children often demonstrate a cessation of self-harming behaviours and a significant reduction in suicidal thoughts or attempts either during or by the completion of the programme.

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