It's okay to cry on the sofa
Free, no-judgement mental-health events for people who work in tech. Real talks, real people, no corporate gloss, no toxic positivity.
honest conversations about mental health in tech, the number we're working towards, one event at a time.
What we do
Free events. Real talk.
No agenda.
We run free events, talks, workshops, panels and open discussions, focused entirely on mental health for people working in tech. Anyone can come. No sign-up fee. No pitch deck.
Talks
Real people sharing real stories. Burnout, anxiety, imposter syndrome, depression, spoken honestly from the front of a room.
Workshops
Practical sessions on navigating mental health at work. Boundaries, self-advocacy, tools that actually help.
Panels
Multiple voices, multiple experiences. Because one story is never the whole picture.
Open discussions
No structure, no agenda. Just a room of people in tech who get it. Come and talk, or just come and listen.
Our motto
If you let tomorrow be a better day, imagine how great next week can be.
Why we do it
This didn't start in a meeting room. It started on a sofa.
Over a year ago, I sat crying on the sofa cuddling my son, hoping the tears would dry before my wife walked back in the room.
My mental health had hit rock bottom. I felt lost. I felt useless. I didn't know where to turn. My family, friends, and running helped me find light at the end of the tunnel, but it's a battle I still fight every single day.
I remember walking to the shops with my head down, hoping no one would make eye contact, for fear they'd see the depression behind my eyes. It was in those moments that I made a decision: if we could help just one person feel less alone, that's a life well lived.
Mental-health problems have no correlation with being lazy or weak. The opposite. And yet people still say "snap out of it", "get a grip", "just smile." Life has a funny habit of turning the tide, and when it does, you'll need understanding. You'll need someone to listen, and not talk.
You never know what's behind a smile. Crying On The Sofa exists to create space for the people behind one.
"Until you have walked down the street with your head down, hoping no one can see the pain behind your eyes, do not tell anyone to 'just smile'."
My promise to you
Three promises. Forever.
When I started this, I made myself a few rules I'll never break. Here they are, in writing.
Always free.
Every event, every time, mental-health support should never come with a price tag.
No one turned away.
Built for tech, open to everyone. Need someone to listen, a little inspiration, or just company? There's a place for you here. Always.
Zero tolerance for hate.
No negativity towards another person, ever. These events are run by an evergreen optimist and a human being, and that's exactly how they'll stay.
Stay in the loop
More to come.
This is just the start. Drop your name and we'll let you know whenever the next event lands. No spam, no newsletters, just a heads-up when there's a new date.
Crying On The Sofa 01
Crying On The Sofa 01
- When
- Thu 24 Sep 2026 · 6:30 to 8:00pm
- Where
- Pendo offices, Sheffield
- Format
- Talks
- Price
- Free · all welcome
Get involved
Whether you want to share, suggest, or just say hi.
Our inbox is always open. There are a few ways to be part of this.
Want to speak?
We're always looking for authentic stories. You don't need to be a professional speaker.
Suggest a topic
Is there a specific mental-health struggle in tech you want us to cover? Let us know.
Host an event
If your company has a safe space (and no recruitment agenda), we'd love to partner on a venue.