Mayor's divorce shines spotlight on charity

The Mayor of the High Peak, Councillor Dom Elliott-Starkey, is currently going through a divorce from his husband, Ryan, after nearly seven years together.

The couple, who married in April 2022 after meeting in 2018, made the decision to separate a few months back.

Cllr Elliott-Starkey said that the marriage had faced difficulties for some time, with growing distance between the pair due to work pressures and family responsibilities. 

Despite the personal challenges, Cllr Elliott-Starkey has continued to fulfil his civic duties and maintain his focus on serving the community. 

At just 26 years old, Cllr Elliott-Starkey became one of the youngest people ever to hold the office of Mayor when he took on the role in May 2025. Representing Dinting Ward and living in Glossop, he says that although recent months have been testing, he remains dedicated to his work and the people of the High Peak. 

“It’s certainly been a challenging time, and taking the emotion out of it has been difficult,” he said. “Some periods have been harder than others, but I’ve remained committed to my role as Mayor and Councillor, working for the benefit of our incredible community. I now see that things do get better, even if it’s hard to believe in the moment. 

“To anyone going through something similar, I’d say: there’s no shame in struggling, and no set timeframe for healing - take the time you need, your journey is your own.” 

The belief that no one should feel embarrassed or alone in their struggles is one of the reasons he chose Mentell as one of his mayoral charities this year. The local organisation provides safe, confidential spaces for men to talk about their experiences and mental health. 

“As most will know, life never runs smoothly and everybody has their challenges,” said Cllr Elliott-Starkey. “Mentell recognises the struggles men face and the stigma that still surrounds speaking up. I want to support them in creating a society where everyone feels able to say when they’re not okay. After all, we all share the challenges of life and have days where we aren’t okay. I want to promote that ethos throughout the High Peak.” 

He added: “When I got involved in politics, I always said: ‘If I can look in the mirror and say I tried my hardest, I’ll be proud of what I’ve achieved for my community.’ That still stands today - maybe even more so now.” 

Despite the personal upheaval, Cllr Elliott-Starkey continues to focus on his mayoral duties and community projects, determined to use his experiences to encourage openness, resilience, and compassion across the borough.