Before we found Tom, we were in complete crisis. Archie had been excluded from two schools before the age of 8, and we were honestly terrified for his future. He was impulsive, aggressive, and constantly putting himself and others in danger. Every system we’d tried treated him like a ‘problem to manage’ instead of a young boy who was scared, overstimulated, and misunderstood. Tom came in without judgement — just quiet confidence and lived experience. From their very first session, Archie saw him as someone he could trust. Tom didn’t try to ‘discipline’ him or force a routine on him. He observed, adapted, and slowly built a connection through activities Archie actually responded to: boxing, parkour, breathing drills, and silly games that somehow taught self-regulation and patience. Over a few months, we saw real change: less meltdowns, more words. Less punching, more thinking. Tom helped Archie understand what was happening in his brain — and gave him tools to pause, to re-centre, and to take pride in small wins. He also coached us as parents in a way that was kind but honest. We learned how to hold boundaries without shame or threat. We learned how to see our son again, not just fear his future. Tom has been nothing short of life-changing for our family. Archie is now enrolled in a new school with specialist support, and for the first time in years, we feel hopeful. I genuinely believe Tom saved us from heading down a much darker path.

Yusuf spent most of his days in his room — anxious, overwhelmed, and convinced the world wasn’t built for him. He’s autistic and incredibly bright, but school had become unbearable. Crowds, noise, even the idea of having to walk through the corridors would bring him to tears. He hadn’t had a real conversation with anyone his age in months. When we were introduced to Tom, I was unsure how Yusuf would respond to someone new. But Tom didn’t come in with a plan or a clipboard. He came in with compassion, patience, and his own story — which resonated deeply with Yusuf. Over time, Tom built trust. Not by forcing conversation, but by creating safe, quiet, purposeful spaces. Sometimes they sat in silence. Sometimes they sketched. Sometimes they took walks, or practised light exercise. Every session was on Yusuf’s terms, but Tom always gently nudged him out of his comfort zone without tipping him into panic. The biggest shift? Yusuf started to believe that who he is — socially, emotionally, neurologically — isn’t broken. With Tom’s help, he’s learning that anxiety isn’t something to run from, but something to manage with the right tools. He even agreed to join a small library group, something we thought impossible just six months ago. Tom has a rare gift. He listens without pushing, challenges without threatening, and mentors without ego. He’s been a bridge between our son and the world and we’re endlessly grateful.

Before I met Tom, I didn’t care if I was here tomorrow or not. I was out on the roads most days, not going home, not going school, doing things I won’t even say here. People said I was ‘off the rails’ but truth is I’d already given up. No one really got it. My teachers were from a different world, my family shouted. I was just waiting to get locked up or worse. Then I got referred to Tom through some council scheme. Thought it would be another one of them boring programmes that talk at you for six weeks then disappear. But first time I met him, it was different. Man actually listened. Like properly. And he’s been through his own stuff, not just reading it off some paper. He didn’t come at me like I was a problem. He came at me like I was potential. First few sessions we just talked, lifted some weights, moved around, got out of my head. He helped me realise I wasn’t mad or evil, I was just hurt and trying to survive. He helped me see where my anger came from. Why I was running from school, from home, from everything. Now I’m in college. I go gym regularly. Still working through things, but I’m not out on the roads like before. I’ve cut ties with some people who were dragging me under. I actually think about my future now. That never used to happen. Tom didn’t ‘fix’ me. He showed me I wasn’t broken in the first place. He showed me I’ve still got time to turn it around — and I am