Testimonials and Community Engagement
Maggie - Mae's Self Empowering 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.
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Mum telling Maggie - Mae how she feels about the course.
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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.
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The course has proved to be everything you needed and more to understand your emotions.
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You have shown a real interest and understanding in every part of the course even passing on your knowledge to me.
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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.
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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 xx
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Feb 7th 2025
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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.
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Maggie- Mae would be at our office every day on some weeks seeking emotional support.
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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
'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
Some more of our Young Peoples testimonials
'A Childs Voice'
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
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Female aged 15: I have stopped self - harm and love learning about and understand my own thoughts and feelings,
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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.
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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.
Every Child Matters and should receive mental health support when they are feeling sad and isolated
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What We Offer
The child is the heart of the family and therefore the family must be able to function to have a healthy heart. We offer initial holistic assessments to support the family, we help them to access to food banks, and other support around benefits, disability, mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse, poverty, debt, housing, schools, etc
We listen to the child's wishes, and support the child to complete the 'A Childs Voice' programme over 10 - weeks. We work in schools and other settings in the community and are mindful that not all children can face the school environment so offer unique packages.
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We accept referrals from families, schools colleges, GP Practices, Social Services, youth clubs, youth justice, social services, early help, lawyers, residential children's homes, etc...
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Services include
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A 'Childs Voice' 10 - week programme
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Child centred approach
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Holistic family approach
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Signposting / referrals to other agencies
Programme objectives;
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The child / young person will be able to build resilience, self-confidence, self-autonomy, and a healthier wellbeing, whilst learning and understanding how self-awareness and empowerment can make a better future of reaching their full potential.
The programme is fun, informative and has psychology experiments, educational learning, inspiring information, factual informational, and is aimed at being empowering to promote and develop self-awareness through self-reflection around mental health and wellbeing.
The programme measures wellbeing by using wellbeing scales so that the child/ young person can see how their mental health topics covered include, Worrying. Anxiety, Anxiety, Other Mental Health Disorders, Perception, Emotions, Imposters Syndrome, Spiritual wellbeing, Healthy Boundaries, and discuss other serious topics around safety planning.