Nature of work - People with problems are helped by volunteers with similar lived experience
Founded - 2022
Address - Unit 5, Callenders, Paddington Drive SN5 7YW
Telephone - 0300 303 6283
Website - bestmates.org
Just as Best Mates helps people thanks to volunteers with lived experience, so the charity itself is founded on lived experience.
Founder Jeff Tucker said: "Back in 2020 my son got attacked by some lads. In short, that left him going through depression and PTSD to the point that we found a note in one of his art pads that he wanted to take his own life.
"He's okay now, which is good - we're lucky. But the point is that when I faced that, and I needed help to help my son and my family to navigate a really, really tough time, although the services are out there it's very difficult to make decisions when you're emotionally stressed and going through that."
Founder Jeff Tucker said: "Back in 2020 my son got attacked by some lads. In short, that left him going through depression and PTSD to the point that we found a note in one of his art pads that he wanted to take his own life.
"He's okay now, which is good - we're lucky. But the point is that when I faced that, and I needed help to help my son and my family to navigate a really, really tough time, although the services are out there it's very difficult to make decisions when you're emotionally stressed and going through that."
It was after this harrowing experience that the idea for Best Mates came.
"Imagine going and knocking on somebody's front door and your best mate answers, and that person is the person that has been through exactly the same situation.
That person would then be able to have a really open, empathetic conversation with you, understanding how you're feeling, what you're facing, and they could guide and support you through the process.
"When you're having those conversations with somebody like that, which isn't your mum or a loved one, your dad, your brother or somebody like that, you're actually getting really good open conversation that is very, very powerful.
"The concept is that a charity would then reach in above that when the mate comes back to the charity and we can then get that person into counselling, we can get that person to the correct support, to the correct therapy, addiction clinics and so on.
"Anybody facing a tough time can reach out and we'll act as your best mate, to try and get your life back to or a step towards a better place."
At the time of going to press, the organisation had helped 87 people in ways ranging from offering simple but priceless emotional support to helping a man financially keep his head above water while he recuperated from a debilitating workplace accident.
There were, again at the time of going to press, some 26 volunteer Mates with an array of life experiences qualifying them to offer support to people finding themselves facing similar challenges.
"Imagine going and knocking on somebody's front door and your best mate answers, and that person is the person that has been through exactly the same situation.
That person would then be able to have a really open, empathetic conversation with you, understanding how you're feeling, what you're facing, and they could guide and support you through the process.
"When you're having those conversations with somebody like that, which isn't your mum or a loved one, your dad, your brother or somebody like that, you're actually getting really good open conversation that is very, very powerful.
"The concept is that a charity would then reach in above that when the mate comes back to the charity and we can then get that person into counselling, we can get that person to the correct support, to the correct therapy, addiction clinics and so on.
"Anybody facing a tough time can reach out and we'll act as your best mate, to try and get your life back to or a step towards a better place."
At the time of going to press, the organisation had helped 87 people in ways ranging from offering simple but priceless emotional support to helping a man financially keep his head above water while he recuperated from a debilitating workplace accident.
There were, again at the time of going to press, some 26 volunteer Mates with an array of life experiences qualifying them to offer support to people finding themselves facing similar challenges.
All are welcome to seek help - and to offer help to those who need it
Best mates welcomes inquiries both from people who need help and people who believe their experiences mean they can offer help.
In addition, the charity has two weekly events which are open to all.
Jeff Tucker said: "Every Wednesday at 6pm we do a Walk and Talk Wednesday session around Coate Water in Swindon. Come rain or shine, at 6pm by the cafe we've got ambassadors that meet up.
In addition, the charity has two weekly events which are open to all.
Jeff Tucker said: "Every Wednesday at 6pm we do a Walk and Talk Wednesday session around Coate Water in Swindon. Come rain or shine, at 6pm by the cafe we've got ambassadors that meet up.
"The group runs to between 10 and 20 people depending on the weather and so on, but every single Wednesday without fail, even through Winter and in the dark, there's a group of people who walk round Coate Water."
The other weekly session is on Thursdays at the Community Hall in Cricklade, running from 7pm to 8pm and offering tea and a chat.
Both weekly gatherings are proving popular.
The other weekly session is on Thursdays at the Community Hall in Cricklade, running from 7pm to 8pm and offering tea and a chat.
Both weekly gatherings are proving popular.
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