Mayday Consultancy have produced an extremely valuable training programme for frontline professionals on understanding coercively controlling groups and how to support those affected. They have taken both academic research and practical guidance and merged these into a clear, accurate and readily understandable format. This is a challenging task given the complexity of the issue. I have known and worked with both
principals for several years and can vouch for their professionalism, knowledge, and commitment. The training they provide is long overdue yet very much needed as we are in the midst of a hidden epidemic of this type of coercive control.As an academic, researcher and practitioner in this field for the past 30 years, I can highly recommend Mayday's training programme.

--Dr. Alexandra Stein
Social Psychologist specialising in coercive control and author of Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarianism

mayday training combines specialist knowledge with practical application, helping organisations and professionals recognise complex situations, take informed action, and create meaningful change in responding to coercive control within high-control groups.

Naomi and Jude have developed an outstanding presentation which talks through the issues around coercive control in organisational settings in a brilliantly clear, rigorous and compelling way. I have no hesitation in endorsing this presentation which I am sure will be of enormous value to those who encounter these issues in a professional setting and need the understanding and tools to respond effectively.

--Richard Scorer,
Head of Abuse Law and Public Inquiries at Slater and Gordon

Mayday Consultancy has created an insightful, accessible and urgently
needed training programme that will equip frontline professionals to recognise coercive control within cults and other high-control groups, and respond to those affected with greater understanding and sensitivity. Naomi and Jude bring together extensive knowledge and lived experience, giving the training a rare depth, authenticity and humanity. As someone whose family has been directly affected by a high-control group, I know how vital this understanding can be. I can wholeheartedly vouch for their integrity, professionalism and commitment, and believe this training has the potential to make a meaningful difference to individuals and families when they most need informed and compassionate support.

--Emrhys Cooper
Actor, filmmaker and Ambassador for the The Family Survival Trust

greater understanding leads to earlier recognition, more confident responses, and stronger safeguarding practice.

what is coercive control?

coercive control is a pattern of behaviour used to dominate, manipulate or restrict another person’s autonomy.rather than relying on physical violence, it often involves psychological, emotional and social methods designed to create dependency, reduce independence and influence a person’s thoughts, choices and behaviour.coercive control is not limited to intimate relationships. it is also present within high-control groups, where leaders or systems use techniques of influence, manipulation and control to maintain authority over members.

these techniques can include:

mayday helps participants understand these patterns while making an important distinction between legitimate groups and belief systems, and groups that use coercive methods of control.understanding coercive control is essential to recognising undue influence and supporting those affected.

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what is a high-control group?

high-control groups (sometimes referred to as cults) are groups or organisations where members experience significant levels of influence and control over their thoughts, behaviours, relationships or personal choices.high-control groups use techniques such as manipulation, isolation, pressure, fear, dependency and control of information to maintain influence over members.it is important to distinguish between legitimate groups, communities, and belief systems, and groups that use coercive methods of control.

mayday explores how these patterns develop, how they affect individuals and communities, and how professionals and organisations can respond appropriately.

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Outstanding training, engaging, thought-provoking, incredibly powerful and, at times, deeply moving.

The presenters were knowledgeable, confident and clearly passionate about the subject, and the whole session managed to be both highly informative and incredibly human. What really sets this training apart is the lived experience at its heart.

Some of the experiences shared are jaw-dropping and incredibly powerful to hear…These are people who have lived through high-control environments, who know what coercion and control can actually look and feel like from the inside, and who are now using that experience to help others recognise it.

I genuinely believe this training should be compulsory for safeguarding leads, social workers, teachers, family liaison professionals and anyone working in a professional capacity to support children, adults or families. You cannot necessarily recognise what you have never been taught to see. And when someone is living within a high-control environment, having a professional who understands what they are seeing, and knows how to respond, could make a significant difference.

Brilliantly delivered, deeply impactful and incredibly important. The combination of professional expertise with the unmatched insight of lived experience makes this an exceptional piece of training that deserves to reach as wide a professional audience as possible.

--Sarah Davies
IICSA (Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse) Core Participant, Cult & CSA Survivor

As an arts facilitator working with NHS partnerships for 20 years, and delivering projects for Leicester City Council and other organisations, I can clearly see how crucial this work is in raising awareness and recognising these reference points.The pace, delivery and tone of their session is so clear and accessible, that I now feel much more confident to see, process and act on any relevant issues that arise,armed with this additional understanding.

--Mellow Baku
Artist Facilitator/ Alternative and Cultural Arts consultant and CEO of Bakuyard Productions

As co-owner of The Manse Retreat, I regularly work with people experiencing the emotional impact of trauma, including those who have been in controlling relationships, groups, cults and other coercive environments. I have seen first-hand how difficult these experiences can be to recognise, understand and recover from.

Alongside this work, my background in HR has shown me how important it is for professionals and organisations to recognise the signs that someone may be experiencing coercive or controlling behaviour, and importantly, to know how to approach and support that person with care, sensitivity and without judgement.

I found the programme informative, thoughtful and highly relevant. It takes a complex and often poorly understood subject and makes it accessible and practical for frontline professionals who may encounter people affected by coercive control.

This is an important area of education and one that I believe has relevance across health, wellbeing, safeguarding, HR, and other frontline services.

--Kim Dourish
Co-owner of The Manse Retreat, Co-creator, The Manse Method®,
Therapist & People and Culture Professional

As someone with lived experience of a high‑control group, now working within an environment supporting vulnerable children and families, I believe this training has significant relevance for all practitioners involved in safeguarding. It offers clear, practical insight into a form of risk that is often difficult to identify, yet can have profound implications for the lives of impacted children and adults.The presenters demonstrate a deep and credible understanding of coercive control, informed by research and reinforced by their own personal experiences. The delivery is well‑paced, sensitive and accessible, with messaging that is both clear and professionally grounded. The opportunities for discussion encourage curiosity and future reflective practice.This programme provides a valuable lens through which professionals can better recognise indicators of high‑control environments, understand their impact, and consider how these dynamics may negatively influence current and future development and prospects if appropriate support is not put in place. It is a highly relevant and timely piece of training that would strengthen professional awareness and safeguarding practice.

--Lisa
HR professional at a children’s charity