Children's Testimonials
Maggie - Mae's Self Empowered Voice
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.
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.
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.
07 February 2025
Mums voice
I am so proud of my daughter achieving her CPD certificate for A Childs Voice.
Mum telling Maggie - Mae how she feels about the course.
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 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.
I’m so grateful to the charity and Mary for her kindness, understanding and professionalism throughout.
I’m not sure where Maggie would be now if this course had not been available, thank you for everything Mary xx
Feb 7th 2025
Chatham Grammar schools 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.
Thank you to The Life Matters for supporting our student
07 Feb 2025
Female aged 13: I finally feel of value because I at last feel heard. The 10 week programme helped me to understand my own needs and was fun to do
Female aged 15: I have stopped self - harm and love learning about and understand my own thoughts and feelings,
Male aged 17: This 10 week programme has made a huge impact on me. I was often at the hospital with my mum due to my mental health, but they were not able to help me. I can honestly say that after completing this 10 week course it is now become my go to place. The Life Matters charity has helped me to manage my emotions, I still get sad sometimes but not as sad as I was before.
Female aged 15: All schools should have this 10 week programme. None of the teachers in my school have enough time to support me and the pastoral team does not really understand me or my mental health. I was often placed in the unit as a punishment when I couldn't manage in class.
Having to write all things down the 10 week programme helped me to better understand myself and my mental state.
Other children's Testimonials
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I have stopped self - harm now as doing this programme has helped me to understand why I was hurting me self - Male age 13
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I would take drug overdoses and forever be at the hospital, this programme identified my child protection needs and made relevant referrals, and The Life Matters supported me to overcome my fears - Female age 13
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As a young carer and school refuser that self - harmed, I was one of the children that used my voice to create the 'A Childs Voice' programme by participating in the experiments and giving my feedback, The Life Matters has helped me to seek pathways for undiagnosed autism. I also was empowered to find other life coping strategies which helped me to stop my self -harm - Female age 15
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I was always in trouble at school but this programme helped me to understand positive relationships and boundaries helping me to feel safe. I used self - harm as a way to help me cope, The Life Matters was my advocate for school and helped me to find my voice. My voice keeps me safe in positive ways now - Female age 14
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I self -harmed because I did not know that I was being sexually exploited, I often would run away from home and use self-harm as a coping mechanism. I did have a social worker but I didn't bond with her. I was one of the children that participated in the making of the 'A Childs Voice' programme, part of my programme included being educated around sexual exploitation. It took some time for me to understand my behaviours but I can now keep my self safe as I understand the consequences of risk risk taking behaviours. Female age 13
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Comments during the program (week 5) from a female age 14. This course is helping me to understand why I think the way that I do and why I feel certain ways in situations. I already understand my self much more and feel more comfortable to manage challenging situations.
Community Engagement
'Social Media against young people' article by Journalist Alix Marshal
Dec 2025
Click link below
https://alix-marshall.shorthandstories.com/social-media-against-young-people/index.html
Thank you Alix for showing a keen interest in our programmes and for creating this amazing article for The Life Matters, we wish you every success with your future but have no doubt that you will achieve your career dream of becoming a journalist. Keep up the great work.
Every Child Matters and should receive mental health support when they are feeling sad and isolated