John and charlie's journey
ONE HUMAN. ONE TEDDY DUCK. STARTING LIFE-SAVING CONVERSATIONS.
John Junior
Founder: John and Charlie's Journey
Mental health Campaigner, Suicide Prevention Speaker, and Psychotherapy Student. John founded John and Charlie's Journey to get people talking about mental health, raise awareness and challenge stigma.
Charlie The Duck
Chief Cuddle Officer & Conversation Starter
Charlie is the teddy duck at the heart of the journey, he has travelled alongside John, helping people take their masks off, bringing smiles, and starting conversations with people who have struggled to open up.
6+ Years
Mental health campaigning
1600+
Face to face conversations
Millions+
Reached through media and social platforms
500k
Campaign signatures
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
THE BIRTH OF CHARLIE
After losing my dad on 15th March 2018, I was struggling with his death, depression and very dark moments. Charlie had become a source of comfort for me, something I could hold onto when everything else felt overwhelming.
For a long time, I kept him at home, and if I did take him out in my bag, I used to keep him hidden, zipped up and used to open the bag a little to smile at his face sticking out.
Then, in November 2019, I decided to do something that would change both of our lives. I picked Charlie up and took him with me to the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Charlie's first-ever photo with people was with a group of lads on a stag. Look at him with them all...
I felt very self-conscious. I was an adult with a teddy duck, and I wondered what others would think.
People smiled, stopped, talked to us and gave cuddles to Charlie.
Charlie broke down barriers with strangers. He started conversations, and many were about mental health and the stresses of life.
That day made me realise Charlie was more than comfort for me. He was comfort for others, and that made me feel good.
And that was where John and Charlie's Journey began.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
BE PART OF THE JOURNEY
John & Charlie's Journey has always been about people, conversations and connection.
If you would like to invite John & Charlie to an event, collaborate on a mental health campaign, help raise awareness, speak publicly or share an idea, we'd love to hear from you.
We're passionate about starting conversations, supporting communities and helping make a difference. If we can help and we're able to be there, we'd love to get involved.
When? Where? As long as Charlie's got some bread, we'll be there. 🦆🍞