Our library of videos, books, research and sites that can support you on your journey
Our curated and searchable directory of trauma informed therapists, coaches and workshops
Our online sharing groups provide a facilitated safe space to share and listen with others who have had attended boarding or independent day schools. You don’t have to just talk about school, these are general circles where people will talk about life, their journey, emotional wellbeing, challenges and wins. They run to a specific format, last 90-minutes, are open to anyone and free to attend.
Richard Scorer is head of abuse law with an excellent track-record and is seen as one of Britain’s leading specialists. He says “I act for victims and survivors of abuse, and whilst doing so, I try to achieve changes in the law and the system so that past failings are not repeated”. If you have experienced abuse, and want to know your legal options, you can contact Richard at Slater Gordon.
* Although we receive no compensation for referrals to this this service, Seen & Heard have received a donation at some point from this provider.
Kim Leslie and Tom Fletcher are specialist abuse solicitors at Irwin Mitchell with extensive experience representing survivors of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Kim leads the firm’s Scottish abuse practice, while Tom is Head of Abuse for England and Wales, acting in complex claims against schools, religious organisations, local authorities, the NHS and other institutions. Together, they are committed to helping survivors understand their legal options, secure justice and access the support they need. If you have experienced abuse and would like to explore your legal options, you can contact Kim or Tom at Irwin Mitchell.
* Although we receive no compensation for referrals to this this service, Seen & Heard have received a donation at some point from this provider.
Of all the myriad of directories out there to find therapists, counsellors and coaches, including the UKCP and BACP accrediting bodies, most don’t recognise Boarding School Syndrome as a searchable criteria. Welldoing.org is different, as well as publishing blogs and articles on the subject, their filtering and search capability is excellent, and their bespoke matching service can help ex-boarders and independent school pupils, and their families, to find the right mental health professional. Welldoing.org is the UK’s leading therapist-matching and coach-matching service for in-person and online therapy and coaching, and they have over 1200 therapists and coaches, all of whom are verified as members of their professional associations annually.
A UK-based charity supporting recovery from childhood abuse. Their mission “If you’re an adult survivor of any form of child abuse, we’re here for you. Taking a first step is difficult, but we can provide you with support and signposting on your road to recovery”. They offer signposting, support, toolkits and links to a huge variety of resources.
The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the voluntary sector. We have over 120 member organisations throughout the UK and Ireland who provide specialist support services to over 100,000 survivors each year
We support anyone with a concern about child sexual abuse and its prevention. Trust your gut and contact us – whatever your worry.
Our anonymous helpline, email and chat services are here for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. We can help you if you are worried about your own thoughts, feelings or behaviour, or with any concerns about another adult or young person.
You don’t have to give us any identifying information, so can remain anonymous. We speak to thousands of people every year, and help them take action to protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Not for profit that offer connections to specialist therapists, events, conferences, learning resources and more.
The UK’s largest mental health charity. Provides support and signposting to a huge range of support services and materials covering all areas of mental health.
Piers is an ex-boarder, coach, author, podcaster and activist on boarding school matters. This link takes you to his Evolving Man podcast, which is required listening for anyone interested in boarding as a subject, or in broader spiritual, philosophical and psychological subject matter.
Alex Renton is an ex-boarding school pupil and a hugely respected writer (you’ll find his books in our resource section), journalist and activist on this subject. Alex keeps a confidential database of serious and criminal allegations of abuse in residential schools, state and private. This can help people contact others with similar stories, and it has aided police investigations and civil compensation cases. No personal details are shared without permission. Contact him and see his work via this link.
Nick is an ex-boarder, celebrated author (you’ll find his books in our resource section), psychotherapist and campaigner. He established Boarding School Survivors in 1990 with the founding principles of (1) Raising awareness of the effects of sending children away to school (2) Providing therapeutic help for ex-boarders. (3) Informing and training the therapy profession about working with ex-boarders. His website is a portal to his work and the services his network offers.
MenSpeak Men’s Groups CIC is a not-for-profit community creating spaces for enabling men, just like you, who want more out of life – to consciously, authentically, sustainably grow into bigger better lives..
We host daily live MenCheck-in men’s groups online, monthly accredited MenFacilitate online facilitator trainings (live and online), special interest themed groups, private ‘closed’ groups, in-person retreats, and an online community network that promotes conscious connection in men and healthy masculinity
Men’s charity that offer free online Men’s connection groups, rights of passage weekends and other services.
Sharing circles are immensely powerful to heal, find connection and support others. At Sister Stories they hold regular Circles, Transformational Circle journeys over 3-6 months and a Circle Facilitation Academy which has trained hundreds of individuals to hold powerful circle spaces with integrity and heart. Together, they are creating a world in which the healing power of storytelling can create deep shifts at an individual, community & collective level.
Find a Women’s Circle online or near you to connect and share with others. We meet in-person in our homes, community halls, outside in our gardens, local parks, woodlands and fields, as well as many other beautiful spaces. Or, we gather online, from every part of the world, bringing women together across oceans and lands.
womenscircles.co.uk was created by Emma Johnson, a circle facilitator, who wanted people to more easily be able to find circles local to them, or online circles that offered something specific they were looking for.
A UK-based not for profit that has the mission “To help Women to empower themselves and be their best possible self”. Offering workshops, circles, weekend retreats and events.
For anyone struggling personally with alcohol. Wide range of resources available including group meetings, document library and events.
Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) is a community for people who grew up in alcoholic and dysfunctional homes. ACA’s recovery program is based on the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and has developed to support the needs of adult children. The ACA community brings together a diverse group of people who meet to share their experience of growing up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional home where abuse, neglect or trauma were present.
Leigh Day is a law firm established to combat injustice. Dino Nocivelli, a Leigh Day partner is an experienced child sexual abuse claims lawyer, and a passionate advocate of mandatory reporting and other change campaigns. If you experienced sexual abuse as a child, and want to know your legal options, you can contact Dino and Leigh Day.
* Although we receive no compensation for referrals to this service, Seen & Heard have received a donation at some point from this provider.
Paul Francis is a UK‑based shamanic practitioner, psychotherapist, author, and teacher, best known as the founder of the Three Ravens College of Therapeutic Shamanism and Animism. He studied philosophy and social anthropology at Lancaster University before working in hospitals, teaching sign language, and training in both complementary medicine and psychotherapy. In the early 1980s, he established his private practice, gradually weaving shamanic work into his therapeutic approach.
A survivor-led charity offering emotional peer support to adult females, who as children were sexually abused/exploited by a member of their immediate/extended family.
Provides crisis support, advocacy, wellbeing and specialist counselling services for adults, children and young people who have been affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse across south, west and mid Wales.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) provide free, specialist care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, at any time in their life – 24/7 across England for people of all ages, whatever their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted you can self-refer to SARCS by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you complete your self-referral, a healthcare professional at the SARCS will phone you back to discuss and arrange your care.
You can also find information about what to do if you are concerned that a child or young person is being being sexually abused or if you are supporting a child or young person who has experienced sexual abuse.
SARC services are confidential, however staff have a legal duty to share information with the police or social services if a child or young person or vulnerable adult is considered to be at risk of significant harm.
In Northern Ireland medical and social care is referred to as Health and Social Care or HSC. HSC in Northern Ireland provides normal medical care services, critical and emergency care and also provides social care services like home care, family and children’s services, day care and social work services.
If something sexual happened to you without your consent – or you’re not sure – you can talk to us. No matter when it happened.
Our 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year
If you’ve been abused or exploited as a child, we are here, when you are ready.
You Are Enough™ groups are online peer support groups designed to help parents and caregivers whose children have experienced sexual violence.
SupportLine, a small national charity, provides emotional support to children, young people and adults throughout the UK via telephone helpline, email and postal support. The service is primarily aimed at those who are vulnerable, at risk, isolated and victims of any form of abuse. They maintain a database of other organisations and can give details of local support to people when needed.
Helpline: 01708 765200 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm
Email support: info@supportline.org.uk
SupportLine aims to respond within 48 hours where possible.
Postal support: SupportLine PO Box 13594, Sudbury CO10 3FB
Digby Brown Solicitors is committed to helping people recover from traumatic and life-changing incidents and is the leading personal injury firm in Scotland – it is the only firm in the country to hold a Band 1 ranking in this specialist area of law and has done so for nearly 20 years.
The firm’s Non-Accidental Team has a proven track record for securing landmark results for survivors affected across many settings such as local authority foster care, private schools like Edinburgh Academy, Fettes, Loretto, Gordonstoun or Merchiston, residential care settings like Nazareth House, youth groups like Scouts or Army Cadets and religious organisations.
Digby Brown’s empathetic team – which always communicates in plain English – means survivors are empowered by choice, can make informed decisions and have access to the best support services to take back control of their lives.
It doesn’t matter how long-ago things happened. It doesn’t matter if it involves high-profile groups or individuals. You deserve answers, justice and recognition and we will do what we can to make this possible.
Please enter your details below. We promise not to spam you or sell your data and you can unsubscribe from the emails at any time.