Battle Scars
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    • How to write a self-harm policy
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  • Training
    • Self-Harm training
    • Eating disorders training
    • Self-harm in the Workplace
    • Autism, Self-harm & Mental Health
  • Space for hire/rent
    • Rooms for day hire
    • Rooms & desk space for lease
    • Onward House - the journey
The words about us
"I started coming to Battle Scars groups as a service user and then became a volunteer, a group facilitator and then a trustee. I'm grateful for the ongoing support and have really benefited from having a sense of purpose. I'd like to thank Battle Scars for everything it does and for helping me be the best version of myself"

Our history

Battle Scars was formed because of the need of one person to find support for her self-harm. Starting as a peer support Facebook group in January 2016, we formed the Battle Scars community group (Unincorporated Association) in April 2016.

​Fast growth resulted in Battle Scars becoming a registered charity (CIO - Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in England and Wales on February 6th, 2018. 

We are based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, running local face-to-face services, and national virtual services alongside our ever-growing worldwide Facebook group.
The current Battle Scars logo with shorter interlinked arms of different colours and the words Battle Scars
Battle Scars logo 2018-now
Old Battle Scars logo with 4 long interlinked arms of different colours and the words Battle Scars
Battle Scars logo 2016-2018

Our team

Everybody in Battle Scars has been affected by self-harm, either as something they do/have done, or by supporting a loved one who self-harms. We operate on a genuine peer support model, everybody supporting everybody within the team. 

Our board is made up of 4 trustees:​
Picture of our chair of the board Jean Birch
Jean Birch
​Chair
Picture of vice chair of the board Tristan Batten
Tristan Batten
​Vice-chair
Picture of secretary of the board Karen Johnson
Karen Johnson
​Secretary
Picture of treasurer of the board Glenn Groves
Glenn Groves
​Treasurer

Picture
Aisling O'Brien
​Trustee
Battle Scars Founder & CEO - Jenny Groves
I started self-harming as a teenager and spent 25 years unaware there were others who also self-harmed, thinking I was the only one. I founded Battle Scars in 2016 when looking for support for myself and discovering a huge gap in services and support for people who self-harm. I have had a varied work career (amongst others, guitar maker and shaman) all of it bringing me here. As the CEO, I am spearheading Battle Scars as well as running services, delivering workshops and all self-harm training to professionals, networking and being the voice of Battle Scars and people who self-harm. I am now very open about my own self-harm and encourage our staff and volunteers to be the same so we can break down the stigma. 
Picture of the CEO Jenny Groves
"It’s reassuring that staff actually know and care about what they do. That really makes all the difference"

Our partners

It's vital to us to build strong links, to form partnerships and work together with other organisations, whether they are the NHS, Public Health, local councils, 3rd or private sector as well as our funders. As we are expanding out of Leeds this is becoming increasingly challenging but even more important. We may still be a small organisation but we have a lot to offer and we build such partnerships based on honesty, openness and transparency. 

If you'd like to partner with us, please contact us or ask for an intro session for your organisation. We are also keen to work with radio and TV producers, reporters, bloggers and researchers. 
Picture
Battle scars logo
Registered charity in England & Wales No 1177020 
​Registered charity in Scotland No SC052466

Website designed by Battle Scars
Contact us
Battle Scars
Onward Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub
Onward House
Millshaw Park Way
Leeds LS11 0LS
​​email: [email protected]
for enquiries about room hire/rental: [email protected]

​Tel (information & admin line only): 07410 380747 - office hours
Battle Scars Policies 
​
Privacy Principles
Funded by:
Leeds Compassionate City Awards Health Wellbeing category winner
Battle Scars Leeds Volunteering Kitemark
charity excellence framework quality mark
Picture
Picture
​​Website by Battle Scars
  • Home
    • About us >
      • Our vision, mission & values
      • News
      • Our reports
    • Definition of self-harm
    • Support us >
      • Become a Battle Scars trustee
      • AGM 2025
      • Membership
      • Volunteer
      • Feedback about services
      • Donations
      • Wristbands
      • Social media
    • Contact us
  • I self-harm
    • Virtual support groups UK 18+
    • F2F support groups Leeds adults >
      • Daytime f2f group 18+
      • Evening f2f group 18+
      • Daytime f2f group 50+
      • Group posters & map
    • 16-25s support group Leeds
    • FRESH phone contact
    • Under 16's
    • Workbook for 10-17 year-olds
    • Facebook support group worldwide
    • Addiction programme
    • Resources & more >
      • Understanding s/h
      • Managing s/h
      • Self-awareness
      • Videos & interviews
      • Blogs
      • Gallery
    • Order form - crisis cards etc.
  • I'm family/friend
    • Virtual F&F support group UK
    • F2F support group Leeds family
    • Dos & don'ts
    • FRESH phone service
  • I'm a professional
    • Want to know more about Battle Scars?
    • Work with young people
    • FRESH phone service
    • Support for foster carers
    • Addiction workbook - PDF for professionals
    • How to write a self-harm policy
    • Join the mailing list
    • Downloads
  • Training
    • Self-Harm training
    • Eating disorders training
    • Self-harm in the Workplace
    • Autism, Self-harm & Mental Health
  • Space for hire/rent
    • Rooms for day hire
    • Rooms & desk space for lease
    • Onward House - the journey