We Got Ya – Why Best Mates Is More Than Just a Shoulder to Lean On

By Jeff Tucker, Co-Founder of Best Mates – We Got Ya

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. Sometimes, the hardest thing isn’t just dealing with the challenge, but navigating how to get through it. And when you don’t have the right support, it can feel impossible.

For me, the idea for Best Mates – We Got Ya didn’t come from a single moment of inspiration – it came from one of the hardest periods of my life, when I had to watch my 16-year-old son suffer after being viciously attacked by a group of lads. In 2020, my son was brutally beaten, and in the attack, they attempted to stab him. The physical injuries healed, but the mental scars have lingered. The attack led to depression, PTSD, and a deep sense of trauma that still affects him today.

But what shook me to the core was finding a date in his art pad where he had written about taking his own life. The realisation that my son was in such a dark place was devastating. It’s a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

This period in our lives was incredibly difficult to navigate. I didn’t know who to talk to, where to turn, or how to get the right help. The truth is, I felt lost. I would have given anything to have had someone – a Best Mate – who had been through something similar, someone who could show me that there was light at the end of the tunnel, someone who could help guide us through that overwhelming time.

That’s why Best Mates was born.

Why I Started Best Mates

I wanted to make sure no one else had to go through that experience alone. I wanted to create a place where people could find someone who truly understands what they’re going through, someone who’s walked in their shoes. Whether it’s trauma, mental health struggles, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, Best Mates connects people with others who know exactly how it feels.

Our mission is simple: To make sure that no one faces their darkest moments alone. If I had had a Best Mate during that time, someone who had experienced a similar situation and could walk alongside us, it would have made all the difference. That’s the kind of support we provide.

Real Conversations. Real Mates.

At Best Mates, we don’t offer clinical, impersonal services. What we offer is real support from real people who have lived through difficult times. We believe that connection is key, and we make it our priority to connect you with a Mate – someone who understands what you’re going through.

Once we’ve made that connection, we offer several ways for you to engage and receive support:

• Walk ’n’ Talk Sessions – Gentle, group walks with a Mate by your side, and others who are on their own journey. It’s a chance to get out, clear your mind, and talk freely in a non-judgemental, supportive environment.
• Thoughts ’n’ Talk – Casual meetups over a brew where you can chat, listen, or just be around people who get it. It’s all about creating a safe, open space for conversations that matter.
• One-to-One Support – When more tailored help is needed, we offer access to counselling, mental health services, addiction recovery, or simply regular check-ins with someone who truly understands and can provide ongoing support.

In just over a year, we’ve supported 87 individuals, each of them with their own story and their own path to healing. Every one of those 87 reminds me why Best Mates exists – because we’re here to help people find their way through the tough times.

Lived Experience at the Core

What makes Best Mates truly unique is that our team isn’t made up of professionals or experts who’ve read about struggle – we are people who have lived through it ourselves. Whether it’s stress, loss, addiction, depression, or simply feeling lost in life, we’ve been there. We don’t need someone to meet a set of criteria or tick a box. We meet people where they are and walk with them at their pace.

A Partnership with Trak Employment Solutions

While Best Mates is an independent charity, we’re proud to have the backing of Trak Employment Solutions, where Carl and I are directors. At Trak, we share the belief that supporting people’s wellbeing goes beyond just the workplace. That’s why we now offer Employee Welfare Support to all the businesses we partner with, giving workers the same kind of meaningful support that Best Mates provides.

It’s a rare thing in recruitment: a genuine focus on people’s lives, not just their productivity. And it’s already making a real difference in both the workplace and in people’s personal lives.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow and support more people, we are committed to keeping our approach personal and compassionate. We’re expanding across the South West, offering more sessions, more volunteers, and more real conversations that matter.

But no matter how big we get, we will always keep our promise to anyone who reaches out: No judgement. No pressure. Just one simple message… We Got Ya.