We're a peer-support charity, not a crisis service. If you need urgent help right now — Samaritans 116 123 · Text SHOUT to 85258
Worcestershire · Peer support · Charity No. 1184343
Behind the Smile is a peer-led community offering gentle, human support to people bereaved by suicide, and to anyone living with emotional and mental health challenges. You are not alone here.
Continuing Zac's Story;
How we can walk alongside you
However you've come to be here, there's a place for you. Our groups are led by people with real, lived experience — not clinicians — so support feels human and unhurried.
When someone dies by suicide, the grief can feel isolating and hard to speak aloud. Our bereavement peer groups are a safe, understanding space to be met by others who truly know.
If you're carrying anxiety, low mood, or simply the weight of a hard season, you don't have to hold it by yourself. Come as you are and find warmth, connection and a listening ear.
Behind the Smile is a peer-support community, not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
Led by lived experience
Behind the Smile grew out of real loss and real love. Everything we do is shaped by people who have walked similar paths, so no one is spoken down to, hurried, or made to feel like a case to be managed.
Come when you're ready, share as much or as little as you like. There's no script and no pressure.
Our volunteers have lived through grief and hard times themselves, and offer understanding rather than judgement.
We're a warm, welcoming community where connection and belonging do the quiet, steady work of healing.
Come and be part of it
Our regular groups meet across Worcestershire. You're welcome to just turn up, or message us first if you'd feel more comfortable knowing a friendly face will be there.
A safe, held space for anyone grieving a death by suicide, to share, remember, or simply sit alongside others who understand.
Warm, informal gatherings for anyone navigating emotional and mental health challenges. Good company, honest conversation, no pressure.
Making something with your hands can quiet a busy mind. Come and craft, create and chat, whatever your skill level.
Exact days, times and venues change with the seasons — get in touch and we'll point you to the nearest group.
Our story
Behind the Smile was founded in memory of Zac. The semicolon in our name is a quiet, powerful symbol from the mental health community — a place where a sentence could have ended, but was chosen to carry on.
Out of profound loss grew a determination that no one in our community should face suicide bereavement, or their own darkest days, feeling completely alone. That belief is still the heartbeat of everything we do.
Your story isn't over.
No referral, no waiting list, no need to explain yourself first. Just come as you are.
Everyone you'll meet has known hard times too, so you'll be received with warmth.
A local community you can reach, built around real people and real connection.
Stand with us
As a small charity, everything we're able to offer is powered by kindness — people giving their time, their support, and their generosity.
Offer a listening ear, help run a group, or lend a hand at events. Full support and training are always provided.
Enquire about volunteering →Bake, walk, run or gather your community together. Every effort helps keep our groups open and free to attend.
Talk to us about fundraising →A gift of any size helps us reach more people bereaved by suicide and more people struggling to carry on.
DonateIf you need help right now
Behind the Smile isn't a crisis service. If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, please reach out to one of these — they're there day and night.
You can also speak to your GP, who can help you access local mental health services in Worcestershire.
Reach out
Whether you're looking for support, thinking about volunteering, or just want to know more, we'd love to hear from you. There's no wrong reason to make contact.
We read every message with care. If your enquiry is about bereavement, you're welcome to share as much or as little as feels right.
Every group we run, every listening ear we offer, is free to the people who need it — and made possible by supporters like you. A gift of any size helps someone feel a little less alone.
Behind the Smile is a registered charity (No. 1184343). Donations go directly towards peer support across Worcestershire.