Survivors of Abuse was honoured to be part of Unmasked: The Power of Speaking Our Truth, hosted by Let’s Talk Better CIC on 27 April 2026.

The event focused on masks and masking — the ways people can present an image to survive, cope or succeed, while often carrying much more beneath the surface.

Let’s Talk Better described the event as a safe space to explore why we wear masks, what it costs to keep them on, and how speaking our truth can transform relationships, wellbeing and communities.

Chris Tuck, Founder and CEO of Survivors Of aBuse, was invited to speak and share both her lived experience and professional insight into the long-term impact of abuse, trauma, silence and survival.

For many survivors, abuse teaches us to hide.

To mask.

To stay silent.

To minimise.

To protect others.

To pretend we are fine when, inside, we may still be carrying the impact of what happened.

That is why events like Unmasked matter. They create space for honesty, courage and connection.

They remind us that speaking our truth is not about reliving trauma for the sake of it. It is about reclaiming voice, identity and self-worth.

At Survivors Of aBuse, we know that recovery is not a straight line. Abuse can affect confidence, relationships, health, work, education, parenting, boundaries, trust and the way someone sees themselves. The impact is not always visible, and for many survivors, masking becomes a survival strategy.

Through our accredited Breaking the Cycle™ C.L.E.A.N.E.R.™ Living Programme, SoB supports survivors to rebuild piece by piece. The programme takes a whole-person approach, helping survivors understand the link between trauma, mindset, the body, lifestyle choices, emotional regulation, self-worth and future wellbeing.

Chris’s contribution at the event helped open up important conversations around truth, identity, healing, shame, stigma and human connection — conversations that are needed not only in survivor spaces, but across communities, workplaces, services and families.

Following the event, Zeenat Noorani – The Clarity Coach, Co-founder and Director of Let’s Talk Better CIC — shared these words with Chris:

“Your presence, honesty, and willingness to share your personal story, experiences, and insights played such a powerful role in shaping the depth and impact of the event.”

Zeenat also reflected that Chris’s voice helped open up important conversations around truth, identity, healing and human connection, and that those moments would stay with many of those who attended long after the event.

We are incredibly grateful to Zeenat, Darren and the Let’s Talk Better CIC team for creating such a meaningful space and for inviting Survivors Of aBuse to be part of it.
Collaboration matters.

When organisations come together with shared values — courage, honesty, compassion and trauma-informed understanding — we can help break stigma and create safer spaces where people feel seen, heard and supported.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in Unmasked: The Power of Speaking Our Truth.

There is love, life and laughter after abuse.

And sometimes, healing begins when we are finally able to take off the mask and speak our truth.

To find out more about Survivors Of aBuse and the Breaking the Cycle™ programme, please visit:
www.survivorsofabuse.org.uk⁠

To find out more about Let’s Talk Better CIC, please visit:
https://letstalkbetter.org