Suicide Prevention & Self-harm Support
The Life Matters
Protecting young lives. Strengthening mental health. Preventing suicide.
The Life Matters is a children’s mental health charity supporting children and young people aged 8–17 through early intervention, one-to-one safeguarding support, education and training. Working with schools and communities across Kent and throughout the UK, we help young people understand their mental health, reduce the risk of self-harm and suicide, and build resilience.
Our services are recognised as a valuable community wellbeing resource and are featured on the Medway Marmot Place Public Health Asset Map and promoted by the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP).
We provide early intervention and prevention support — we are not a crisis service.
Voices Matter
Our Mission and Vision
The Life Matters is dedicated to preventing self-harm and suicide among children aged 8 to 17 in Kent and throughout the UK. We aim to provide crucial support, resources, and education.
The ‘A Child’s Voice®’ model is at the heart of everything we do
Featured on BBC Radio Kent, the A Child’s Voice Model is a 10-week programme co-designed with children and guided by professionals. It helps children understand mental health, encourages them to speak up, and supports them in building resilience.
The programme’s workbook includes instant safeguarding measures, ensuring that no child ever has to face danger alone.
How It Works
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10-week programme designed for children aged 8–17
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Co-designed with children to ensure relevance and engagement
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Professional input ensures best-practice guidance
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Safeguarding measures in place to provide immediate support if needed
Impact
In our most recent cohort, children and young people reported:
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95% reduction in self-harm and suicidal thoughts
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Increased resilience
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Fewer GP and hospital visits
These results were measured using evaluation forms based on standards from the Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC), a UK network that helps organisations track children’s mental health reliably.
To our knowledge, this programme is one of the few evidence-based interventions of its kind in the UK, co-designed with children and bridging clinical research and social work practice.
Supporting Professionals
A Child’s Voice is delivered by The Life Matters and also equips trained professionals to deliver the programme within their own settings. Each child receives and keeps their own workbook, which includes a personalised safety plan to help them understand their emotions, identify trusted support, and know how to access appropriate help within their community if they are unable to speak to someone they trust. The programme supports children’s ability to seek help while assisting professionals to meet safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
School Partnership Packages
Recognised and Promoted Through
Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP)
& Public Health
Whole School Mental Health Programme
For schools seeking a structured approach to:
✓ emotional wellbeing
✓ suicide prevention education
✓ self-harm awareness
✓ safeguarding confidence
✓ student voice
Includes:
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electronic resources
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staff guidance
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10-weeks lesson plans
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safeguarding
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licence period 1 year
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direct work sheets
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KCSIE
Voices from the community
"The Life Matters has done more for my 12-year-old daughter than the children’s mental health team (CAMHS) has managed in four years. Their support, understanding, and guidance have truly made a difference in her life."
— A grateful mum and dad
We can provide anonymised examples of our work to help schools and professionals see the impact of our support. Please contact us at the office@thelifematters.co.uk with any requests.
—Maggie Mae, 17
"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".
—Female, Age 14 Young carer Fort
Pitt School Kent
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
Aspire 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.”
School Safeguarding Lead Testimonials
"We referred a cohort of students experiencing mental health pressures to The Life Matters and were delighted with the outcome. The programme encouraged meaningful self-reflection, provided a safe space to confide in a trusted adult, and improved emotional wellbeing. Students who had previously been self-harming or experiencing suicidal thoughts showed remarkable progress, and school attendance also improved. We’re so grateful for The Life Matters’ expertise and care and look forward to referring a new cohort next year."
— Dave Miller, Student Services Manager, The Victory Academy, 2025
Empowering Children and Families Since 2021
OUR PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
Our Services
1,000 British pounds
250 British pounds
250 British pounds
250 British pounds