I was watching TV “SAS Who Dares Wins” whilst horizontal on
my couch. Nice and comfy as I watched the contestants endure SAS training. There was a chap on there who disclosed about being sexually abused as a kid; it moved me deeply and inspired me to push myself to complete a 10K run this year. A few weeks later and I’ve joined up to the Great Manchester Run, fundraising for Survivors Manchester.

Why Survivors?

I’ve a connection with Survivors Manchester, as a few years ago I used their services when no other support was available. I’ve currently got a Dissociative Disorder & C-PTSD which is a reaction to a tricky childhood. Around 2013 my mind finally popped trying to process what had happened to me, this led to a mental health crisis. I don’t want to overshare all the details of that time, but I was unable to work, heavily medicated and experiencing flashbacks & seizures for 4hrs a day on average. It was relentless. I felt very alone, there was no support and it took nearly 2 years to get help from the NHS. It was brutal.

The gap in services was filled by Survivors.

The first great thing was I was able to go and speak to someone on the phone immediately. Then I was able to visit them and speak to someone the week after. I ended up attending their ‘Safe Room’ for a few years. This was a fortnightly meeting of men who’d suffered childhood abuse. Those sessions threw me a significant life line as I felt so isolated and abandoned in my experiences. Meeting other men who were struggling with similar problems reduced the loneliness and helped to normalise a lot of trauma experiences. Powerful stuff for which I’ll always be grateful. At the time there was no where else that provided this service for men. I needed hope and they gave it.

Over the years Survivors also provided me with 2 lots of short term therapy and an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) which helped reduce the stress of liaising with the Police. I’ve not been back for a while but always feel welcomed back, they’ve built a community that survivors can lean into for emotional support. That is always a reassuring thought for me.

There is so much more that this charity does to tackle the impact of sexual abuse which is why I want to fundraise for them. I know the money raised will go towards doing good in the world. So I’m going to see if I can make a small difference – if you want to help me do that please stick a fiver in the pot! 😉

Ta Matt :)  x 

You can keep upto date with my progress in the posts below ;)

From Survivors Manchester:

Opening the doors in 2009, Survivors Manchester provides therapeutic and ISVA support to male victims/survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester.Our mission is to break the silence on the sexual violation of boys and men, in order for individuals to begin to understand the impact of these experiences on their current life by working through difficulties and challenges that will enable them to move forward to be free of the past.We are a male survivor-led organisation providing quality assured help.