Intimacy Matters - A Christmas Catch Up
Dec 22, 2025 10:16 pm
Intimacy Matters
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A Christmas Thank You, a Celebration of 20 Years, and Looking Ahead to 2026
As the year comes to a close and the festive season approaches, I wanted to send my warmest Christmas wishes and express my sincere thanks for being part of the Intimacy Matters journey.
Whether you have come to me for a sensual massage treatment, taken part in a sensual massage course, attended a workshop or event, or followed and supported my work over the years, please know how deeply grateful I am. The work I do is personal, relational, and profoundly human — and it exists only because of people like you who are willing to explore intimacy, touch, connection, and pleasure with openness, curiosity, and care.
I hope your Christmas and holiday period is filled with warmth, laughter, rest, meaningful connection, and perhaps a little indulgence too. However you choose to celebrate, may it be joyful, nourishing, playful, and deeply restorative.
20th Anniversary
This Christmas is also particularly meaningful for me, as December 2025 marks my 20th anniversary of moving to London to begin my career as a sensual masseur. On 14th December 2005, I arrived in London with a massage bed in hand, one suitcase, newly divorced and bankrupt, but filled with curiosity, courage, and excitement. So with no small amount of uncertainty, not knowing quite where the path would lead. What began as hands-on sensual massage work gradually evolved into something much deeper and profound.
Over the years, that journey led me to train in psychosexual therapy, Imago relationship therapy, and a wide range of embodied, relational and educational approaches to intimacy. Together, these experiences have shaped what Intimacy Matters is today: a humanistic, honest, down-to-earth approach to sexuality and intimate relationships, grounded in real bodies, genuine emotions, and real lives — not theory alone.
Ambition
My ambition has always been, and remains, to help sensual massage and sexual exploration in general be understood not merely as a “sexy indulgence”, but as an essential and valid part of human health and wellbeing.
Sensual touch can support relationships, enhance self-esteem, improve sexual communication, deepen emotional intimacy, and play a decisive role in sex education and sexual confidence. In a world that often disconnects us from our bodies and from one another, conscious touch can be profoundly healing.
Looking ahead to 2026
I hope to continue gaining further media coverage to help share this message more widely — promoting sensual massage and my combination psychosensual treatments as a legitimate, valuable and life-enhancing practice that supports mental, emotional, relational and sexual wellbeing.
There is also much to look forward to in practical terms.
One of the most significant developments planned for 2026 is the launch of a new website, School of Sensual Massage. This new website will enable me to develop further and clearly present the Sensual Massage Courses, both live and in person, alongside an expanding range of online learning resources. It will also offer opportunities for other practitioners to promote their ancillary skills in support of these courses. The intention is to make it easier for people to find the right learning pathway for them — whether for personal growth, relationship enrichment, or professional training — while maintaining the depth, integrity and care that have always defined my work.
Sensual Connect has been one of the great success stories of the past year. In just twelve months, it has grown from zero to over 410 verified members, creating a warm, respectful, and open-minded community centred on sensual massage, creative intimacy, and conscious connection.
In 2026, Sensual Connect moves into Phase Two, which will introduce Sensual Connect Group Hosts — trusted members who will help grow and nurture this remarkable community through local groups, socials and shared experiences, while keeping consent, safety and respect at the heart of everything we do.
Events will continue to evolve, too. From 2026, the Couples Sensual Massage Social will be renamed the Couples Sensual Massage Play Party for couples and intimate friends — a title that more honestly reflects the playful, embodied and exploratory nature of these gatherings. I am also actively planning a Singles Sensual Massage Play Party, offering a carefully held, welcoming space for individuals to explore touch, sensuality and connection with like-minded people.
My partner Clare and I are also hoping to reintroduce our much-loved Couples Dinner & Decadence Parties. These may evolve into weekend experiences that combine elegant social evenings with couples group workshops and immersive learning. We are currently exploring venues within around 60 miles of London that could host these residential-style gatherings, allowing couples to step away from everyday life and into a more intentional, playful and intimate space for a whole weekend. We are also exploring the idea of running a couples' five-day sensual massage retreat in the Greek Islands.
Spicy Match
Intimacy Matters ongoing association with Spicy Match will continue into 2026. Intimacy Matters will actively support selected Spicy Match events with workshops, talks, and presentations focused on sensual massage, communication, consent, embodied intimacy, and deeper connection. These collaborations allow education and insight to sit alongside fun, curiosity and exploration.
Many Many Thanks
On a personal note, I want to express my immense thanks to my partner Clare, whose unwavering support — both professionally and personally — has been fundamental to everything I do. Clare and I will celebrate 12 years together in April 2026, and only three weeks ago, we finally began living together full-time. After many years of juggling homes and schedules, we are now happily settled and plan to be based in Chelsea for the foreseeable future. Her encouragement, perspective and belief in this work have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for her presence in my life.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my associate massage therapists, Dave and Jamie, for their practical support, as well as the many men and women who have generously volunteered as receivers across the 200+ classes I have held over the past year.
None of this growth — past, present, or future — would be possible without your trust, support, and belief in the value of what we are building together. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey, whether through touch, education, conversation, shared experience, or simply by engaging with the Intimacy Matters website. I regularly hear from people around the world — from Australia and South America to Asia, the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa — who are exploring similar questions about intimacy, connection, and well-being. It reinforces a simple truth: sensual intimacy is a universal human language, one that requires no translation, only thoughtful understanding and conscious application.
As we move into 2026, my intention remains clear: to create spaces — physical and online — where intimacy can be explored safely, consensually and without shame; where touch is honoured as powerful medicine; and where pleasure is recognised as an essential part of emotional, relational and human wellbeing.
I look forward to seeing many of you again in the coming year — on the massage table, in the studio, online, or at one of our events.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a deeply connected New Year.
With warmest wishes,
Colin Richards
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NEW YEAR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS
ON ALL SENSUAL MASSAGE COURSES
For Women, Men & Couples
For men, women and couples
20% OFF - if booked & paid for in full before 10 am on January 15th 2026
To learn about the various 1-1 classes Intimacy Matters offers, all with optional volunteer models to practice on - Click on links in yellow below - prices displayed are before applying the above discounts. Payment can be made by bank transfer, debit or credit card, PayPal or cash.
INTERESTED? APPLY HERE
This offer is only available to applications & payments received before 15th January.
Courses taken on this offer must be taken and completed by June 30th 2026
Cancellation /Change of Dates
Once paid, there is NO REFUND. But dates can be changed, provided the course finishes before 30th June 2026
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Come and Join This Growing Community
The Sensual Connect Networking Platform
MEMBERSHIP IS FREE
The only Networking Platform for lovers of sensual massage and intimate encounters to meet and explore the world of creative sensuality and enhanced foreplay
Click here to read more about Sensual Connect and how to register.
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Sensual Massage Play Parties 2026
4 pm to 8 pm
Tickets are now on sale for
Saturday 31st January - Couples Party
Saturday 14th February - Singles Party
Sunday 8th March - Couples Party
Saturday 9th May - Couples Party
Saturday 4th July - Couples Party
The Couples Sensual Massage Play Party is an extraordinary and intimate event designed for couples eager to explore the art of sensual touch and erotic foreplay in a sophisticated, welcoming atmosphere.
Perfect for experienced couples seeking a more intimate setting to explore, and for couples new to sensual exploration, this event offers a relaxed, no-pressure environment where you can chat, observe, or get involved at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Singles Sensual Massage Play Party is a unique and elegant event where singles can explore the art of sensual massage and erotic foreplay in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere. Whether you’re curious beginners or already familiar with sensual massage, this experience offers a rare opportunity to explore, share, and indulge in erotic pleasure.
Massage beds and play beds are provided.
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