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Emergency alerts contain life-saving information and should be kept switched on for your own safety. You can opt out of emergency alerts. For example, victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone may find it appropriate to turn off alerts. How you opt out depends on your device, if you still get alerts after opting out, contact your device manufacturer for help.

iPhone

To opt out:

1. Go to your settings and select the ‘notifications’ menu.
2. Scroll to the bottom.
3. Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.

Android phones

To opt out:

1. Search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’.
2. Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.

For more details, see the UK Government site.

Carol-Anne brings a wealth of experience supporting vulnerable individuals and families across Scotland, the Cayman Islands, and Guernsey. Her background includes managing the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre – the only domestic abuse shelter across the three islands – where she led staff and volunteers, ran a walk-in center where she worked with both men and women affected by domestic abuse and established and ran a Kids Helpline in partnership with Childline UK and the National Crime Agency, and provided frontline support.

Carol-Anne has also developed and delivered accredited training programs and supported families through her 15 years with Home-Start West Lothian.

Carol-Anne served with the Children’s Hearing System as a Panel Member in Scotland, making child-centered decisions to improve outcomes for young people and more recently, she worked with the Children’s Convenor in Guernsey, co-delivering training for panel chairs.

Carol-Anne has a passion for empowering others, and a commitment to continuous learning, and extensive experience in service leadership.

Here’s what Carol-Anne had to say about starting her new role:

“I am delighted to be working with such a dedicated team at AMIS and I look forward to using my experience to help the organisation to continue to grow, raise awareness and to strengthen the vital support it provides for men affected by abuse.”

We are looking forward to working with Carol-Anne, her knowledge and experience within this sector will strengthen our team and drive our service development.

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Carol-anne as the Head of Services, you can email Carol-Anne@amis.org.uk . Alternatively, please get in touch with our office. 

With a professional background spanning IT, security, and operational efficiency, Benjamin brings a wealth of experience in designing and implementing systems that help organisations run smarter, safer, and more effectively. Benjamin is most known in the corporate world, as the previous Head of IT at St James Quarter, overseeing the technology infrastructure for one of Scotland’s largest mixed-use developments. Responsible for the management of thousands of devices, he played a pivotal role in delivering a resilient and future-ready technology platform for a billion-pound development. 

Since then, Benjamin has gone on to found and lead two innovative companies, one specialising in luxury security services and another focused on digital heritage and immersive technologies. His work consistently combines technical expertise with strategic insight, helping clients to achieve both operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. 

Beyond the business world, Benjamin is passionate about applying his skills for social impact. With AMIS, he sees an opportunity to bring a data-led, technology-driven perspective to the ongoing challenge of supporting men affected by domestic abuse. Benjamin is particularly interested in helping AMIS strengthen its infrastructure, streamline reporting, and use data more effectively to inform policy, improve services, and evidence impact. 

Benjamin’s experience in governance and innovation will support AMIS as it continues to expand its reach and refine its services. By bridging the gap between frontline compassion and back-end efficiency, Benjamin aims to ensure AMIS has the tools and systems in place to grow sustainably while remaining true to its mission. 

On joining the Board, Benjamin said: 

“I’m proud to support AMIS in this vital work. By combining the compassion of our frontline support with strong systems and data, I believe we can give even greater visibility to the experiences of men affected by abuse and ultimately strengthen the case for lasting change.” 

We are excited to have Benjamin’s strategic, technical, and operational expertise helping to guide AMIS at a governance level. His unique background positions him to play a key role in developing the charity’s long-term strategy, ensuring that AMIS continues to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, and efficient support. 

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Benjamin as an AMIS Trustee, you can email ben@amis.org.uk. Alternatively, please get in touch with our office. 

Hamish originally trained as an actor at one of London’s top drama schools before moving into the world of coaching, counselling, and psychology. His journey with AMIS began during the height of the first COVID-19 lockdown, when he volunteered on our helpline, later stepping into a full-time support role in early 2021. Over his time with us, Hamish supported over 100 men with a range of issues, demonstrating compassion, insight, and a deep commitment to those affected by domestic abuse.

While at AMIS, Hamish’s work extended far beyond frontline support – from writing client reports in line with the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 to representing clients at MARAC meetings to helping with volunteer training and support. Since leaving AMIS in early 2022, Hamish has now returned in a governance role, bringing his experience full circle – as a former volunteer, staff member, and now Trustee.

Professionally, Hamish operates a diverse portfolio career across coaching, psychology, drama-based learning, and professional voiceover work (you may even hear him as a Welsh cow or Northern Irish cabbage on CBeebies!). His expertise lies in helping individuals navigate complex conversations, build self-awareness, and fine-tune their communication skills.

He holds an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching, is accredited by the Association for Coaching (AC), and holds a Master’s degree in psychology with graduate basis for chartership with the British Psychological Society (GMBPsS). Hamish also supported neurodivergent individuals – including those with ADHD – through coaching roles with Psychiatry UK and previously with Exceptional Individuals.

With a strong track record in the medical and legal sectors, Hamish uses immersive techniques like forum theatre and character hot-seating to train professionals in real-time communication and empathy-building.

We are thrilled to have Hamish’s insight and passion for human behaviour helping to guide AMIS at a strategic level. His background makes him uniquely placed to support the development of our training for staff and volunteers, ensuring our work remains compassionate, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of those we support.

Hamish has already hit the ground running. In his first few days as Trustee, he delivered a powerful session to our team titled “The Psychology of a Support Worker”. Covering themes such as the purpose of volunteering, compassion fatigue, the dynamics of directive vs non-directive support, and the psychological payoffs of helpline work, he left us with several key takeaways: 

1. Be aware of your position in the Drama Triangle
2. It’s okay not to have all the answers – holding space is powerful
3. Debrief – don’t internalise
4. Stay curious, always

This session offered just a glimpse into the wealth of knowledge Hamish brings to AMIS, and we’re incredibly excited to have him onboard. 

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Hamish as an AMIS Trustee you can email Hamish@amis.org.uk. Alternatively get in touch with our office. 

You can donate to Connors fundraiser here: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/balmoral-5k-charity-run-

💬 Why are you taking on this challenge?

“I have been a male victim of domestic abuse & been in a toxic relationship for 2 years while myself as a victim & also my son being exposed to domestic violence witnessed weapons, knifes being used to attack his father from his own mother. If I didn’t have my son to keep me motivated I don’t believe I would be here today. Thinking there is only one escape is a scary place to be in alone. I can’t say it enough please speak up.”

💬 What impact do you hope to achieve?

“I want to raise awareness of domestic abuse & show the relief in speaking up & managing to get out of situation. The moment I got out the situation & the police charged her with domestic abuse & knife modifier…became a relief”

💬 What message do you want to share with potential donors?

“I would like to thank everyone who can donate to a cause which can save someone’s life with support while being a victim in domestic abuse feeling like there is no escape & no help! Till we speak up & get the support is the biggest relief off our shoulders. Anyone going through any domestic abuse please speak up. I will be very open & happily speak with anyone if it can be any benefit to them to help.”

🙏 Please donate, share, and help Connor support us in our mission to give men experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse the help and hope they deserve 💙

If you would like to take part in a fundraiser for AMIS please get in touch, we are happy to help anyone who wants to take on a challenge! You can also sign up to run the Balmoral race 2025 here: RUN BALMORAL 2025 | Sat 26 Apr | Book @ Findarace

If you identify as a man and are experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support. We also take calls from family, friends and working professionals to support them in supporting men and their children.

You can donate to Connors fundraiser here: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/balmoral-5k-charity-run-

MANUP? is a registered charity that is working to reduce the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. The charity aims to change the negative connotations of the phrase “man up” and encourages men to have open conversations about mental health. Their mission encourages men to speak to other men about mental health through lighthearted and serious discussions, tackling awkward topics, and acknowledging that mistakes can happen. MANUP? was founded by a man who wanted to make a positive change in the field of mental health. You can find out more about MANUP? via their website: MANUP? | MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY.

Despite the stigma and silence surrounding this topic, the reality is stark: around 751,000 men in the UK suffered domestic abuse last year alone. This represents about 3.2% of the male population aged 16 and over.

Shockingly, one in seven men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, yet many suffer in silence. Only 4.8% of domestic abuse service users are men, highlighting a significant gap in support. The impact is devastating, with 6.5% of male victims contemplating suicide due to the abuse they endure.

Join us in breaking the silence. Let’s bring male domestic violence out of the shadows and into the light. We can create a safer and more supportive environment for all survivors.

In the campaign, Brodie and Fergus shed light on the unique challenges that men encounter regarding their mental health. They addressed the high rates of male suicide, the impact of societal views on masculinity, the risk of homelessness, the lack of tailored support services, and the insufficient understanding from the criminal justice system and professionals.

Concluding their presentation, they emphasized the positive changes in supporting men dealing with abuse and mental health issues. They highlighted the increase in mental health media campaigns focusing on men’s support, as well as the growing number of men’s support groups in Scotland and worldwide, with communities showing strong support for these initiatives. Additionally, they noted that organizations like AMIS are increasingly invited to speak at schools, aiming to raise awareness and provide support for the mental health of younger generations.

The talk was live streamed to the Church of Scotland Network on YouTube, you can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmjoVVSfpsg

Callander is a small rural community located within the Stirlingshire council area. It serves as a gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. A local community group has initiated a campaign to raise awareness and funds to support positive mental health and wellness in local area and schools. Mental health and wellbeing services are mainly concentrated in urban areas, and services in rural areas, such as Callander, are very limited. There is a need for more funding and service support in smaller rural communities, especially in rural schools for younger generations. This is part of the wider national #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek in Scotland.

There were several events taking place within the community throughout the week, such as free exercise classes and local pub quizzes! All funds raised during the week went to the Canmore Trust and initiatives that promote positive mental health support in the local schools (McLaren High School and Callander Primary School) and the Community Centre (McLaren Leisure Centre).

The influence and impact of these small rural communities are significant. As a result of our discussion, our AMIS leaflets were distributed extensively. Currently, the leaflets can be found across Callander in local schools, pub toilets, pharmacies, and barber shops. With the generous help of locals in the community our leaflets have also been distributed to community notice boards in the surrounding areas of Strathyre, Balquidder, Killin, and Tyndrum.

This was an excellent event for our team to attend. We look forward to further collaboration with rural communities across Scotland in the future.

Abused Men in Scotland’s board are seeking to appoint two new members, a Chair and a Treasurer, to ensure we have the capacity and skills to oversee the next phase of our work. The roles are unpaid voluntary positions. Reasonable expenses are paid.

There are currently nine board meeting per year, including our AGM, lasting around 1.5 hours. Trustees can attend in person or remotely.

For further information on each specific role please check the links below. Please do get in touch with us if you have any questions at all regarding these roles. Closing date for both roles is 28th June 2024.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day
12:00 – 16:00

New Years Day and 2nd January 2024
12:00 -16:00

All other days we are operating our normal hours of 09:00 – 16:00.

We wish you all a happy festive break and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support.