FROM THE CEO
“It is difficult to say what is inside a voice that moves people.” Andrea Bocelli
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE THE MOST ABOUT WHAT WE DO AT WE ARE SURVIVORS, IN HOLDING ON TIGHT TO THE VISION TO ENSURE NO MALE SURVIVOR IS LEFT BEHIND, IS WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MALE SURVIVORS TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD.
The voices of those with lived experience are often heard now in many organisations, not just in charities like ours, but in the NHS, in Government, in the Criminal Justice System, and even in corporate business, which I think is amazing. More of it please!
to access services, to find their voice, be much more comfortable with it, and then for some, take their voice to be part of our Expert Reference Group, or even become members of our staff team.
All of these people’s voices have been pivotal in the success of We Are Survivors.
So, as you look through the pages of this YOUR VOICE edition of Beyond the Silence, just remember that YOUR VOICE is as important, rich and influential as any other.
WE ARE SURVIVORS is a male-survivor focused voluntary sector organisation that aims to create and facilitate safe spaces for male (including trans and non-binary individuals) survivors of sexual harms, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester, providing access to quality assured support. wearesurvivors.org.uk
The statements, opinions and words of male survivors have been here in this organisation since day one. Whether that was me using my voice as a survivor telling people what I was doing in setting up the organisation and generating support; our Ambassadors like Richard Gadd or James Sutton using their voices on stage and screen to deliver stories to an audience that included silent survivors who were then inspired to speak out; or to those survivors who came here
DUNCAN CRAIG OBE Chief Executive Officer
P.S. I desperately want to hear from YOU, our readers, and so please do take a look at page 9 and tell me what you think about this magazine; how we’re doing, what we can do better, and anything else that would help us do better.
JOIN US ON FRIDAYS
Every Friday, we invite survivors to get active, clear their head ahead of the weekend, and spend time among the plants, landscapes and wildlife at RHS Bridgewater. There is no pressure to have gardening experience, and no expectation to do more than feels manageable. Some people may want to dig, plant or help maintain the plots; others may prefer to explore, observe, chat, or take a quiet moment for themselves.
GROUPS
MONDAYS
DROP IN
COMMUNITY
All FREE to access!
A safe space to connect.
HEALTH WALK
Fresh air and good company. Join us!
MANDEM MEETUP TALKING CIRCLE
A judgement free talking circle hosted by our brothers at Mandem Meetup.
TUESDAYS
WELLBEING SESSION
A weekly session in a safe space.
THE COFFEE SHOP
Let’s grab a brew and have a chat.
THE HANGOUT
A brand new group for survivors 18-30.
THE SAFE ROOM
Confidential, peer-to-peer support groups. Talk, listen and learn.
WEDNESDAYS
THE SAFE ROOM
Confidential, peer-to-peer support groups. Talk, listen and learn.
THE WRITER’S ROOM
Get creative. All abilities welcome!
THURSDAYS
THE BUILDERS YARD (LEGO)
Come and join other survivors and get building with Lego.
THE COFFEE SHOP
Let’s grab a brew and have a chat.
THE SAFE ROOM
Confidential, peer-to-peer support groups. Talk, listen and learn.
FRIDAYS
THE ART ROOM
Express yourself artistically - all abilities!
A taxi is provided to and from the garden, helping make the visit easier and more accessible.
You are also welcome to make your own way there if that works better for you. You can take part in practical gardening, enjoy a walk, spend time with others, or simply use the space to pause and reset.
These Friday visits are also an opportunity to build connection. Time in the garden can encourage conversation, shared activity and a sense of belonging, while still leaving room for quiet and personal reflection. The natural setting helps create a different kind of space — one that is informal, relaxed and shaped by the rhythm of the seasons. Come and be at one with the earth, understand the rhythm of nature, and see the care and nurture needed to help healthy growth bloom. Whether you are planting something new, watching the garden change, or simply taking a moment to breathe, RHS Bridgewater offers a supportive place to reconnect with yourself, with others and with the natural world.
HEALTH WALK
Fresh air and good company. Join us!
THE GARDEN AT RHS
Get out of the city for a gardening session in beautiful surroundings.
SATURDAYS
(Twice a month)
THE SAFE ROOM (ONLINE)
Confidential, peer-to-peer support groups. Talk, listen and learn.
Scan the QR code opposite, or visit www.wearesurvivors. org.uk to sign up for regular updates!
GALLERY
THIS IS YOUR PAGE. Share your art, poetry and creativity with us.
Every issue we want to celebrate the creativity of male survivors. Expressing yourself through art, poetry and writing can be an important part of healing. If you’d like to share your work, send them to the e-mail on page 2.
THOUSANDS OF MEN SHARE STORIES OF ABUSE, PAIN, LOSS AND GRIEF. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THOSE SAME MEN DISCOVER STRENGTH, HOPE AND THE COURAGE TO BEGIN HEALING.
This issue of Beyond The Silence has focussed on the power of ‘self’, the power of YOU. It feels fitting to end this issue with some powerful words from male survivors. Hear Our Voice, See Our Words is a series of short films produced and created by Shahrokh Nael from Orange Attic Films, with the support of the team at We Are Survivors.
The project began with a careful look through years of creative writing shared with the organisation. Our team selected a number of pieces and also invited current service users to contribute their words. Survivors and survivor allies then
This is a collection of films shaped by collaboration, creativity and trust, each one honouring the words at its heart.
recorded the chosen writing, creating the spoken-word tracks that would guide each animation.
Shahrokh brought the words to life through his distinctive visual style. Known for thoughtful, independent filmmaking, he has a gift for telling stories that are powerful, human and often overlooked. Working closely with the We Are Survivors team, he developed imagery that complemented each voice with care, sensitivity and imagination. The result is a collection of
films shaped by collaboration, creativity and trust — each one honouring the words at its heart. We are deeply grateful to Shahrokh for treating every story with such care, and to the survivors who trusted us with their words.
All 15 short films are available to watch on our YouTube channel. Scan the QR code or visit www.bit.ly/ WAS15Films to watch.
LAST THE
WORD
DUNCAN Chief Executive Officer
SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION (FOR ME)
SITTING IN CLINICAL SUPERVISION, MY SUPERVISOR ASKED WHY I THOUGHT THE WORK I WAS DOING WITH THIS 17-YEAR-OLD CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVOR WAS AFFECTING ME THE WAY IT WAS, COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHER CLIENTS I WAS SEEING AS A TRAINEE.
My immediate response was, “I don’t know, it’s not like I was abused or anything,” to which Heather responded, “But I didn’t say you had.” A rush of emotion flooded through me, and I saw his face appear in my mind’s eye as if they were there in the room with me. I burst into tears. Suddenly, I was telling her everything I was remembering and feeling. In that moment, I found my voice.
That was in 2006/07, and over the next 20 years I would stand on stages across the world and tell that story: with the intention of being heard as a male survivor; for a male survivor to be seen there in the room; and to ensure that I was never silent again.
Finding my voice and owning it has been one of the most liberating things I have ever done. It has taken me to some incredible places. I’ve travelled to New Zealand, the USA, Uganda, much of Europe and Iceland,
and have even spoken in front of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. My story has been reflected in Coronation Street, EastEnders, Casualty, Hollyoaks and Pobol y Cwm, as well as in numerous documentaries, and it has earned me accolades and awards.
But speaking out has also closed doors; created conflict; caused loss and pain; and, at times, left me feeling incredibly lonely.
Don’t get me wrong — I don’t regret finding my voice and speaking out. But the reality is that it has come at a cost. Yet when I look at what We Are Survivors has achieved over the last nearly 18 years; when I hear people talk about how they found their voice with the help of their therapist, ISVA, or another ‘one of the lads’ at a drop-in session, I know 100% that it was always worth it.
And it always will be.
MAIN OFFICE
Unit 9 Brewery Yard, Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way, Salford M3 7BB
T: 0161 236 2182
E: support@wearesurvivors.org.uk W: www.wearesurvivors.org.uk
USEFUL CONTACTS
24/7 Support Line 0808 500 2222 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Shout
85258
This is as 24/7 text service that supports people if they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Free and confidential.
Samaritans 116 123 (available 24 hours a day) jo@Samaritans.org.uk
Mankind
018823 334 244 (Domestic Abuse Support) Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm www.mankind.org.uk
Dad Matters
0161 344 0669 dadmatters.org.uk
Supporting Men’s Mental Wellbeing Through Community, Activity & Purpose. info@mandemmeetup.org www.mandemmeetup.org
male survivor left behind BEYOND THE SILENCE is
quarterly by We Are Survivors, and is edited, designed and produced by our Grahame. We’d love your feedback. What would you like to see in future editions? Let us know.
E: media@wearesurvivors.org.uk W: www.wearesurvivors.org.uk
