A professional hugger, who charges £75 for an hour-long hug, is now hosting parties where strangers can enjoy “snuggle puddles” in groups.
Bristol, 30-year-old Trevor Hooton, originally from Montreal, Canada, and known as Treasure, launched his unconventional therapy business in May.
And now the endeavor is expanding to more community events — where people can come together “to explore and enjoy non-sexual physical connection in a safe, structured environment” — with special plans for Valentine’s Day.
Addressing the pronouns “they/they,” Treasure aims to help people through the power of hugs and “connection coaching” to help people who are struggling to form relationships with others.
Bristol, 30-year-old Trevor Hooton, originally from Montreal, Canada, and known as Treasure, launched his unconventional therapy business in May
Costing £30 per session, Embrace Connections’ cuddle parties see groups spend time building trust and understanding physical touch – before gathering for a ‘shared, comfortable, cozy cuddle experience’, also known as ‘Cuddle Puddle “ is known.
Treasure explained what they offer is “more than just a hug” — it’s about “pouring care, affection and goodwill into someone through touch.”
They admitted that not everyone fully understands what their business offers – some even consider it sex work.
But Treasure insists professional cuddling “isn’t as novel a concept as it seems,” and thinks everyone should try it.
A professional hugger, who charges £75 for an hour-long hug, is now hosting parties where strangers can enjoy “snuggle puddles” in groups
“I’ve built a business based on my passion for building human relationships,” said the pro cuddler. “A lot of people struggle to make these, and that’s where I come in.”
They added that the parties were “great” and a way to “add value to a lot of people at once.”
“I’ve done four parties so far and each one has been unique and special in its own way,” Treasure explained. “We have a very mixed group – some people are single and unfamiliar with touch but want to develop a sense of security.
“On the other end of the spectrum, there are people who are used to touch and want more of it.
Addressing the pronouns “they/they,” Treasure aims to help people through the power of hugs and “connection coaching” to help people who are struggling to form relationships with others
“In any case, the participants seem to walk away from it and love it.”
Treasure started exploring the science behind human connections 10 years ago because they found it fascinating.
But it wasn’t until 2021 that they started turning it into a company that launched in May 2022.
Embrace Connections offers a number of different services – including “connection coaching,” a session that supports your ability to build relationships with others, and “cuddle therapy,” where people pay for a one-on-one hour cuddle session.
Treasure has now added “cuddle parties” to its list of services, with the next planned for Valentine’s Day.
Treasure has now added “cuddle parties” to its list of services, with the next planned for Valentine’s Day
“The first part of the party is a welcome and arrival, and a brief discussion of the expectations and boundaries of the space,” they said of the new initiative. “Then we run a series of workshop activities to help people settle into their own bodies and meet each other and learn how to interact with each other.
“That’s important because if you just let people fall into that environment and say go ahead, there could be problems.”
After an hour there is a break where the group comes together to eat and get to know each other better.
Treasure “resets the room” and the “snuggle puddle” – where everyone piles up and hugs – begins.
“As the rest of the evening progresses, some people stay in the cuddle group or others go and cuddle in pairs, massage or just have a cup of tea,” they added. “Some people start out as strangers and end up feeling close and powerful.”
Treasure said that through their work they “challenge the unspoken rules of society” – and believe that through this we can “achieve something better for ourselves”.
Treasure has asked Valentine’s Day attendees to wear red and is setting up a card-making station as an added bonus.
“The room fits 25 and we’re almost there,” they said. “It’s just nice to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day.”
Treasure’s most popular service is “cuddle therapy,” where people pay £75 to get a hug – and the pro says it’s always “a non-sexual, platonic intimacy based on what the person is.” want”.
They explained that Treasure and the client go through guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page and then structure the session based on agreed boundaries.
There is “a lot of checking” throughout the session to make sure the person feels safe and calm.
Treasure said that unusual service is different for everyone — and finding the most effective approach can take some work.
They even admitted that it can be a little awkward at first — but that it’s worth it in the end.
“It can be uncomfortable,” they admitted. “It’s a strange thing, and not typical of most people, to become intimate with a stranger.
“People come with their own insecurities or prejudices, but I do my best to help them find a place where they feel comfortable.
“And when the person starts to feel the beginning of something sexual, we communicate about it and withdraw because it has to be non-sexual intimacy.”
Having to learn the theory behind cuddling, Treasure said: “It’s about communication and building trust – when you hire a cuddle therapist, you’re hiring their time, attention and caring.
“When I hug someone, I radiate caring, affection and goodwill through that touch.
“Hugging a stranger doesn’t do much good, it has to be someone who cares about you.”