Reducing Self-Harm. Restoring Hope. Saving Lives.
Children's-self-harm intervention & suicide prevention
Our A Child’s Voice® Programme achieves a 95% reduction in self-harm & suicidal thoughts—supporting children, families, and schools through early, life-changing intervention. BBC Radio Kent recognised | Pride in Medway Awards Finalists
Featured by the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP) Safeguarding Education
Regististration 1193469
Testimonials
Age 15 | Kent
Before I did the programme I was upset all of the time, was self-harming and struggling at school. I stopped self-harming since week 2.
I think this course is interesting and informative teaching me how my brain and my thoughts work. Since doing the course I have learnt that there are loads of different mental health disorders and that everybody experiences anxiety and stuff like that and its normal to feel low sometimes.
The programme has taught me different ways on how to manage my emotions and feelings in certain situations. Helping me to understand stuff by writing it out calms me down.
I'm no longer self - harming as I am stronger. I am proud of myself and feeling stronger.
I would recommend this programme as I think it has been beneficial to me and would be to many other young life's.
There is a safety planning section in my workbook that is helpful and educates me on how to reach out in crisis.
Tia's positive affirmations * I am proud of my big heart and how I care a lot for others and how they feel. I know that I am also deserving of love and respect
Mums Voice
"Tia is now nearing the end of the course and has not self-harmed since week 2.
We hope the course has made her view things differently, to ask for help and given her more confidence to know that she can cope with situations in better ways.
She seems stronger than before in dealing with issues.
Thanks
School's Voice
"The 10-week resilience programme run by The Life Matters has had a significant positive impact on Tia's confidence and independence.
Staff have noticed her resilience and Tia is less reliant on less support from staff. Her strength and resilience is evident in her role as a buddy for a new student, helping them to integrate into the school and community. Staff notice Tia's increases self-reliance and emotional strength.
Her class teachers say that she works very well in class and is a pleasure to teach.
Testimonial
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.
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
"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.
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 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.
Thank you to The Life Matters for supporting our student"
07 Feb 2025 See other Testimonials
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:
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.”
“I have stopped self-harming now because this programme helped me understand why I was hurting myself.”
— Male, Age 13
Strood Academy
“I used to take drug overdoses and was frequently in hospital. This programme identified my child protection needs, made the necessary referrals, and The Life Matters supported me to overcome my fears.”
— Female, Age 13
“As a young carer and school refuser who self-harmed, I was proud to use my voice to help create the A Child’s Voice programme by participating in the trials and giving feedback. The Life Matters helped me seek pathways for undiagnosed autism and empowered me with coping strategies that helped me stop self-harming.”
— Female, Age 15
Strood Academy
“I was always in trouble at school, but this programme helped me understand positive relationships and boundaries, which made me feel safe. I used self-harm as a way to cope. The Life Matters was my advocate at school and helped me find my voice. Now, my voice keeps me safe in positive ways.”
— Female, Age 14
Aspire Academy
“I self-harmed because I didn’t know I was being sexually exploited. I often ran away from home and used self-harm to cope. Although I had a social worker, I didn’t bond with her. I participated in the creation of the A Child’s Voice programme, which included education about sexual exploitation. It took time, but now I understand my behaviours and can keep myself safe by understanding the consequences of risk-taking.”
— Female, Age 13
School refuser child in need
Comments during the programme (Week 5):
“This course is helping me understand why I think and feel the way I do in certain situations. I already understand myself much better and feel more confident managing challenging situations.”
— Female, Age 14
Young carer Fort Pitt
“A Child’s Voice helped me understand myself in ways other services didn’t. The wellbeing officer explained things in a way I could actually relate to, and for the first time, I felt truly heard. The one-to-one sessions and workbook tasks helped me realise how to be kind to myself. I’ve now made a pledge to stop self-harming and haven’t self-harmed since. My wellbeing score has improved from 7 (sad) to 4 (happy). I have my workbook to refer back to for safety planning, so I can seek help at any time.”
— Young person, age 14, Victory Academy School, Chatham, 2025
“This programme has made a big difference to my mental health. I was self-harming and having suicidal thoughts at the start, but by week 2 I had stopped hurting myself, and by week 5 the suicidal thoughts had also gone. I know they might come back, but now I have better ways to cope and know how to get help in a crisis. The programme helped me build my self-esteem and was part of what helped me get into a SEN school. I feel more confident expressing myself and reaching out when things are hard. I started at 10 on the sad end of the wellbeing scale and finished at 2 near the happy end. I’ll keep using the strategies and my workbook. I’ll really miss seeing the wellbeing officer.”
— Young person, age 13, Victory Academy School, Chatham, 2025
Children's Testimonial's
Due to the sensitive nature of our work—which includes cases with a wide range of other child protection concerns—we do not share detailed case studies on our website, as the content may be distressing. However, if you would like further insight into the impact of our work, please contact the charity directly. We can provide anonymised case studies upon request, where appropriate."
School Safeguarding Lead Testimonials
The Victory Academy School
"We referred a specific cohort of students experiencing mental health-related pressures to A Child’s Voice and were delighted with the outcome. All four students found the topics useful and thought-provoking. The workbook encouraged meaningful self-reflection, and the trainers were warm, trustworthy, and clear in their communication.
Some of our students had been actively self-harming or experiencing suicidal thoughts prior to the course. None of them continued during the programme, and all showed improved emotional wellbeing. They also benefited from having a safe, independent adult to confide in. The programme even supported better school attendance and helped them reflect beyond the weekly topics.
We’re so grateful to The Life Matters Charity for their expertise and care. We’re looking forward to referring a new cohort next academic year."
— Dave Miller, Student Services Manager, The Victory Academy 2025
Chatham Grammar school
"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
Maidstone School of Science and Technology
"The 10-week resilience programme run by The Life Matters has had a significant positive impact on Tia's confidence and independence.
Staff have noticed her resilience and Tia is less reliant on less support from staff. Her strength and resilience is evident in her role as a buddy for a new student, helping them to integrate into the school and community. Staff notice Tia's increases self-reliance and emotional strength.
Her class teachers say that she works very well in class and is a pleasure to teach. 2025
Adults also participate in A Child’s Voice Programme
Inner Child Healing
The A Child’s Voice programme is a specialised, evidence-based initiative designed for adults seeking to engage in inner child healing and emotional restoration. Through this transformative programme, participants explore past experiences and unresolved emotional wounds, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and holistic wellbeing.
Delivered by qualified facilitators with expertise in trauma-informed care and emotional wellbeing, the programme combines therapeutic techniques, reflective practice, and supportive group work. It empowers adults to reconnect with their inner child, address limiting beliefs, and cultivate healthier emotional responses that enhance personal growth and relationships.
Testimonial
“The A Child’s Voice workbook provides a thoughtful and structured way to explore your feelings and emotions on paper.
It encourages self-expression and reflection, helping individuals to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and concerns.”
“In my opinion, this programme has the potential to reach far and wide, as its pages have the power to change lives.”
“This is one of the most effective self-help programme workbooks I have used. It enables users to analyse their thoughts in a way that boosts self-confidence and promotes emotional wellbeing.”
“Through a disciplined approach of daily activities over 10 weeks, the programme fosters self-love and wellbeing—all from the comfort of your own home, complemented by one-to-one support from a wellbeing officer.”
“I believe this programme would benefit a wide range of people, including:
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New mothers
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Women experiencing menopausal symptoms
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Young offenders on probation
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Individuals involved in the criminal justice system
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College students facing various pressures
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Youth groups such as Girl Guides and Brownies, as it is suitable for all ages”
— Anonymous Adult Participant, 2025
If you would like to take part in A Child’s Voice programme—designed to support inner healing, wellbeing, and early prevention—we warmly invite you to book here.
Within each of us is a child’s voice, quietly waiting to be heard.
