About X-4RCE CIC

X-4RCE was born from lived experience. Founded by Wade Wilson—community coach, mentor, and mental health advocate, the organisation was created from a deep understanding of what it feels like to carry heavy things in silence. After navigating personal challenges and seeing too many men around him struggling alone, Wade realised something needed to change. Not later, now.

What started as a local support group has grown into a community led movement built on empathy, honesty, and action. X-4RCE CIC now delivers free peer support sessions, fitness-based mental health initiatives, talks, workshops, and training opportunities to help men not just survive, but rebuild. Everything we do is rooted in connection and real-world impact.

We work with men from all walks of life. Some need a space to talk. Some need to move. Some need direction. And some are ready to give back. Wherever they’re at, we meet them there.

Wade holding an award plaque and smiling at an event with a backdrop of logos and sponsors.

Our Vision

Our vision is simple: a world where no man feels he has to suffer in silence. We aim to grow X-4RCE into a trusted name in mental health support, not just in Luton, but across the UK. We’re developing pathways for service users to become peer mentors, building stronger community partnerships, and expanding our fitness and outreach programmes.

Because when men are supported, communities are stronger. And we’re just getting started.

Meet the Team

Our team is at the heart of X-4RCE CIC.
We bring together different skills, backgrounds, and lived experiences with one shared purpose: to support men, young people, and the wider community through positive activities, mentoring, wellbeing support, and meaningful connection.

Founder & CEO
Wade Wilson is the founder of X-4RCE CIC and a passionate advocate for men’s mental health, wellbeing, and community connection. With deep roots in Luton and lived experience at the heart of his approach, Wade has built a movement that champions real talk, real support, and real change, no stigma, no judgment.
From weekly Bootcamps to peer-led support groups, Wade creates spaces where men can open up, find their strength, and know they’re not alone. His background in coaching, mentoring, and grassroots outreach gives X-4RCE its heartbeat: community-led, culturally relevant, and always accessible.
Outside of X-4RCE, Wade has been spotted at local events wearing red and black, cracking jokes, and generally causing a scene in the best way possible. Rumour has it Luton has its own masked anti-hero, but of course, no one’s naming names.
Wade leads with humour, heart, and the belief that change starts when people feel seen, safe, and supported.

Fundraising & Events Director
Jack O’Shea is more than a director at X-4RCE, he’s family. A lifelong friend of Wade’s since they were 11 years old, Jack has been there through it all: from school days and football teams to lockdown fundraisers and the earliest spark of Luton’s Deadpool. He’s an uncle to Wade’s kids and a brother in everything but blood.
When Wade asked Jack to come on board as a director, Jack didn’t even blink, because supporting each other has always been second nature. A passionate advocate for men’s mental health and someone who always uses his voice for good, Jack brings a powerful combination of heart, hustle, and community spirit to the X-4RCE mission.
As Fundraising & Events Director, Jack plays a key role in raising both awareness and resources, organising events that not only support the work of X-4RCE, but also bring people together. He’s well-known across Luton, loved by friends, family, and players alike, and also coaches a local girls’ football team where he’s respected for the same warmth and reliability he brings to everything he does.
Jack doesn’t just believe in X-4RCE — he lives it.

Director - Creative & Digital
Muhammad is a thriving creative mind whose journey with X‑4RCE began during a pivotal personal chapter, seeking connection, purpose, and community. Since arriving in the UK in 2008, he has blended his skills as an e‑learning developer, comic artist, and illustrator to forge meaningful connections and elevate mental wellbeing through creative expression. When Muhammad first came to X‑4RCE, he found more than a support group, he found brotherhood, honesty, and growth. Today, he helps others discover that same space.
As a valued Director, Muhammad oversees digital learning and creative development at X‑4RCE. His background and skills lend a fresh, visual dimension to the work: from crafting online content, designing workshops, to bringing comic stories to life that speak to mental health and identity. His impact reaches beyond screens, he’s helped the men we support engage, express, and feel understood.
Muhammad is dependable, imaginative, and patient; someone the team looks to when ideas need grounding in real experience, and when empathy must meet expression. His blend of technical ability and genuine care makes him an essential driver of X‑4RCE’s mission.

Adrees Latif has proudly called Luton home since 1978 and is passionate about the town and the people who make it such a vibrant community. As a proud Lutonian, he has dedicated much of his life to supporting local residents, helping families with housing, parking and anti-social behaviour issues, working with local charities and community groups, and striving to make Luton a better place for everyone.
He is a local councillor, community campaigner and director of several companies, with more than 20 years’ experience running successful businesses. Throughout his career, he has believed that strong communities are built by listening to people, supporting one another and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
For the past 10 years, Adrees has been a leading campaigner in the Post Office Horizon scandal, standing alongside affected postmasters in their fight for justice. That experience has reinforced his belief in the importance of resilience, compassion and ensuring that people facing difficult times are never left to struggle alone.
As a director of X-4RCE, a men’s mental health CIC, Adrees is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, encouraging open conversations and ensuring that men know it is okay to ask for help. He believes that by working together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community where everyone feels valued, heard and able to reach their full potential.

Director of Community Impact
Peter Appleyard brings a lifetime of service, strength, and steady guidance to X-4RCE. A retired Met Police officer with deep roots in Luton, Peter is a respected figure across the town, known for his work with Raynham Way Community Centre, his involvement in the local Neighbourhood Watch, and his unwavering support for his beloved Luton Town FC (home or away, win or lose).
When X-4RCE was just an idea, Peter was one of the first people Wade turned to. Asked if he’d help get the face-to-face sessions off the ground, Peter replied, “I’ll be at every one.” And he’s kept that promise. Whether it’s setting up chairs for a peer support group, helping tear down after a Bootcamp, or offering quiet, solid advice to younger members, Peter is always there.
Peter’s experience in community safety and structure makes him an ideal fit for his role, but it’s his presence, calm, caring, dependable, that makes him the heart and soul of the X-4RCE family. He’s not in it for recognition. He’s in it because he believes in the mission, and because when Peter commits, he shows up.
(Just don’t try to plan a session when he’s on holiday — he’ll still try to get back in time.)

Non-Executive Director – Funding & Compliance
With over a decade of NHS experience and a key role as Practice Manager at Luton’s eating disorder charity Caraline, Kelly Voller brings a rare blend of professionalism, compassion, and strategic focus to the X-4RCE board. As Non-Executive Director for Funding & Compliance, she oversees all funding applications, policies, and operational decisions, providing the stability and structure that keep the organisation growing.
Kelly is also the driving force behind the X-4RCE Bootcamp, having planned, arranged, and nurtured it from the ground up. Her creativity and kindness are felt in every session, in the way the space is set up, in the care put into the experience, and in how accessible and welcoming it feels to all who attend.
Every financial decision, training opportunity, and compliance matter passes through Kelly’s hands. It’s thanks to her vision and consistency that X-4RCE continues to grow and reach the people who need it most. She has been there since day one, helping turn an idea into something real and lasting.
She doesn’t just keep the wheels turning. She keeps the heart of the mission steady, with care, clarity, and a quiet strength that powers everything we do.

Keith joins us after a long and successful career in the construction industry, bringing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a real passion for supporting others.

After retiring, Keith came across X-4RCE on social media and decided to come along to a session and quickly found a welcoming, inclusive space where men can talk openly and support each other without judgement.

Since then, he’s become a valued member of the community, recently completing Mental Health First Aid training and using his life experience to support others.

Keith is passionate about raising awareness around men’s mental health and helping break down stigma something we’re incredibly proud to stand alongside him on.

the impact

Over 200 men supported through x-4rce

40 men regularly engaging with our activities

267 peer support and fitness sessions delivered

50 men who have accessed one-to-one support

Community Engagement

Thank you to our funders

National lottery community fund

Without generous funding from the National Lottery, X-4RCE wouldn’t be where it is today. This funding enabled us to secure a premises, and helped to successfully launch our face to face groups. Thank you to the National Lottery players

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Luton citizens fund

X-4RCE Bootcamp began in early 2025, with the help of the Luton citizens fund. This funding has supported the creation of a free weekly fitness session for men in the community. At Bootcamp we recognise the connection between physical and mental health. Thank you to all the residents that voted for us.

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arnold clark community fund

Thank you to the Arnold Clark Community Fund, whose grant has enabled us to cover some of our core costs. Your support means so much to the men in our service.

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Small grants fund

One of the aims of X-4RCE is to get men out in their community supporting one another, their friends, and their families. The Small Grants Fund has ensured that for the next year we can put on workshops, host guest speakers, and provide training to our services users. Thank you Luton Rising for making this possible.

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Carter Bookkeeping Services

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Carter Bookkeeping Services, led by the brilliant Wendy, whose expertise and generosity have been vital to X-4RCE’s journey. Wendy not only keeps our finances in impeccable order, but she also goes above and beyond, donating her time and services to ensure we can focus on delivering real impact in our community. Her belief in our mission and quiet dedication behind the scenes help power everything we do. Quite simply, X-4RCE couldn’t run without her.

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Acr build

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of ACR Build, led by the brilliant Andy, whose ongoing generosity has become a vital part of X-4RCE’s foundation. Andy not only contributes financially each month, but he does so with genuine belief in what we’re building, both in our community and in the lives of the men we support. His quiet commitment behind the scenes helps us keep going, even when things get tough. Quite simply, X-4RCE wouldn’t be standing as strong without him.

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