We Got Ya – Best Mates Offers More Than a Shoulder to Lean On

We Got Ya – Best Mates Offers More Than a Shoulder to Lean On

By Jeff Tucker, Co-Founder of Best Mates Best Mates

When life hits hard, sometimes all you really need is someone to say: “I’ve got ya.” That’s where Best Mates – We Got Ya comes in.

Founded in November 2022 by myself and fellow director Carl McCulloch, Best Mates was born out of our individual experiences and shared belief that no one should face life’s toughest moments alone. After a year of hands-on work in the community, we gained registered charity status in November 2023 – but the heart of what we do hasn’t changed.

We show up. We listen. And we help people move forward.

Real People. Real Support.

At Best Mates, we do offer services – but not in a cold, clinical way. Everything we do is built around one simple idea: if you were struggling, what kind of mate would you want on your doorstep?

That’s the kind of support we provide – no suits, no scripts, just real conversations that lead to real outcomes.

Real Conversations. Real Mates.

At Best Mates, the first thing we do is connect you with a Mate – someone who’s genuinely been through what you’re facing. Whether it’s grief, addiction, mental health struggles or just feeling completely lost, your Mate isn’t there to judge or fix you. They’re there to walk beside you, because they understand how it feels.

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about human connection, empathy, and lived experience.

You’ll be listened to, supported, and encouraged – no pressure, no pretence.

Once we’ve connected you with your Mate, here’s how the journey can look:

• One-to-One Support – When more focused help is needed, we offer personalised support that can include access to counselling, mental health services, addiction recovery, or regular check-ins.

• Walk ’n’ Talk Sessions – Gentle, group walks with a Mate by your side and others who are also on their journey. It’s a chance to get outside, clear your head, and chat in a relaxed setting – no pressure, no judgement, just good company and conversation.

• Thoughts ’n’ Talk – Friendly meetups over a brew in a safe, welcoming environment. Whether you need to talk, listen, or just be around people who understand, this is your space.

Over the past 16 months, we’ve supported 87 people through these services. That’s 87 stories, 87 journeys, and 87 reminders of why we do what we do.

Lived Experience at the Core

Our team is made up of people who’ve been through their own battles. We don’t just understand struggle – we’ve lived it. That’s what makes our support different. It’s not textbook – it’s human.

Whether someone’s dealing with stress, loss, addiction, depression or just feeling completely lost, we don’t wait for them to tick a box. We meet them where they are and walk with them at their pace.

With a Little Help from Our Friends at Trak

While Best Mates is an independent charity, we’re proud to be backed by Trak Employment Solutions, where both Carl and I are directors. Trak shares our belief that supporting people properly doesn’t stop at the workplace door.

That’s why Trak now offers Employee Welfare Support to every business it partners with – connecting workers to the kind of help we offer through Best Mates. It’s a rare thing in recruitment: a genuine investment in people’s wellbeing, not just their productivity.

It’s working – and it’s changing lives on and off the job.

Looking Ahead

We’re growing. Slowly and intentionally, across the South West. More sessions, more volunteers, more conversations that matter. But what will never change is our core promise to anyone who reaches out:

No judgment. No pressure.
Just one simple message:
We Got Ya.