About Us
Finding Inspiration at Every Turn
Hunter’s Hope was born from both personal loss and a deep frustration with the lack of real trauma support here in Northern Ireland.
My baby nephew, Hunter, was just 11 months old when he was murdered. Our entire world fell apart. But instead of receiving the specialist help we so desperately needed, we were handed an envelope of leaflets for grief counselling charities and left to figure it out on our own.
Continued...
There’s nothing wrong with grief charities—they can be invaluable for those struggling with loss. But our experience was far more complex. We weren’t just grieving; we were traumatised by the brutal reality of losing a child in such a horrific way. What we needed was specialist trauma care, not just support for grief.
Severe trauma requires more than a helpline—it needs real, targeted support. It was only through extensive research that I found private professionals who offered the right kind of trauma treatment, helping us begin to heal.
That experience opened our eyes to a painful truth: better trauma recovery methods exist, but they’re simply not accessible to those who need them most.
Our healthcare system in Northern Ireland is failing those affected by trauma. Long waiting lists, limited access to psychological therapies—typically just CBT or a medicalised approach that doesn’t consider the full impact of trauma—leave people without the care they truly need. The result? A high prevalence of PTSD, addiction, and the highest suicide rates in the UK.
It’s clear that we need a shift towards a trauma-informed understanding of mental health, one that acknowledges the deep and lasting effects of trauma on the mind and body.
We can’t accept this broken system, so we decided to create the change we know is needed. Hunter’s Hope is the result—a place where no one is left to struggle alone, where healing is possible, and where hope is real.
We offer a variety of modalities because trauma affects people in different ways, and healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether through therapeutic support, holistic approaches, or tailored interventions, there is something for everyone.
We take great comfort in knowing that Hunter’s name lives on in this work, in every individual who finds their strength again, and in every life changed for the better.
Meet The Team
Maria McCullagh
Safeguarding Officer
Social Worker/Mental Health Practitioner
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT HUNTER’S HOPE?
Here's what our participants said:
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“It's a person-centred approach which is tailored to individual’s needs (not a one size fits all approach). Talking therapy only kept me stuck in my head and my thoughts, and I think I really needed to focus on sensations and feelings, which really helps.”
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“Everything! I have saw many therapists for counselling, have tried many different medications and have been under the care of the mental health team for years. In all my years searching for help and trying the typical methods that are offered, I didn’t even come close to achieving what I have in Hunter's Hope. The system and therapies in place at Hunter's Hope have been life changing for me. I am so, so grateful to have achieved what I have in such a short space of time, and this wouldn't have been possible without attending Hunter's Hope. Thank you, so much.”
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“Previously, my experiences were talked about, but this time I was enabled to see the present-day effects of trauma in my day-to-day interactions and relationships with people and how trauma was still having an impact in my life.”
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“Less about talking about the problem and more actionable steps to help fix the residual issues caused by the problem. The somatic elements of trauma were really addressed as well as energetic elements, and there was a really holistic approach compared to any I’ve tried before.”
Our Sponsors
We are always grateful for new business sponsors who share our passion for making a difference. Your support helps us fund vital programmes, reach more people in need, and create lasting change in our community.
Partnering with us not only strengthens your brand’s social impact but also demonstrates your commitment to meaningful causes. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, we’d love to discuss how we can work together.