In this powerful episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we’re joined by writer and mental-health advocate Lyndsay, whose lived experience has shaped her deep belief in the power of peer support. From the impact of a kind word during crisis to the everyday resilience built through shared understanding, Lyndsay opens up about what it really means to walk alongside someone on a mental-health journey.

We explore the moments that changed her life and the tools that helped her heal. That includes her book Life Is Good, which blends poetry, reflection, and raw honesty to offer hope to others navigating similar paths.

You’ll hear Lyndsay’s take on:

What peer support really is — and why it works

How to build your own network of support, even when things feel bleak

Why setbacks aren’t failures — and how community can help you bounce back

The role of creativity in recovery and connection

Whether you're supporting someone, seeking help, or simply curious about the power of shared experience, this conversation is full of heart, hope, and real-life strategies.

For more on peer support and mental-health resources, visit with-you.co.uk

In this inspiring episode of the podcast, we sit down with Ruth Hannan and Hannah Webster, co-founders of Care Full Economy, to explore how personal experiences as carers shaped their mission to transform the UK’s approach to care. 

Ruth and Hannah share their personal journeys into the world of unpaid care, opening up about the emotional, practical, and political realities of supporting loved ones. From there, we dive into the origins of Care Full—launched in 2023 to challenge the undervaluation of care in our economy. Discover the story behind the name "Care Full" and what it means for carers and society alike.

Topics we cover:

How today’s economy sidelines care and what a care-centered system could look like

The transformative power of peer support and lived experience in reshaping policy

Real-life stories of impact from Care Full’s work, bridging research and action

The challenges Ruth and Hannah face as women and carers challenging the status quo — and where they find hope

One crucial change they wish to see in how care is valued in the UK

Plus, hear Ruth and Hannah’s heartfelt advice for carers who feel invisible or undervalued.

Learn more about their work at carefulleconomy.co.uk and listen to more stories and insights by searching “Words of Affirmation” on your favourite podcast platform.

In Neurodivergent Voices, peer specialist William Gallini-Pool brings his lived experience of ADHD and Autism, along with years of frontline work in youth mental health, into powerful and thoughtful conversations.

From psychiatric units to classrooms, William has worked across the mental health system to centre young people's voices, challenge outdated practices, and advocate for neurodiverse-friendly support.

This podcast explores how peer support can change lives, how services can evolve, and what it really means to create spaces where neurodivergent young people are seen, heard, and supported.

Whether he's sharing insights from the Discovery Project, unpacking the realities of neurodivergent life, or reflecting on what still needs to change, William brings warmth, honesty, and radical hope to the mic.

If you're passionate about youth mental health, peer-led change, and the power of lived experience, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we’re shining a light on something truly transformative — The Peer Worker Apprenticeship, delivered by Paragon Skills in partnership with With-you.

As someone who has lived through life’s toughest challenges and come out the other side with empathy, strength, and a fierce sense of purpose, Nicky brings not just experience, but lived experience to the forefront of everything she does.

You’ll hear about how this apprenticeship is empowering people with their own personal recovery journeys to step into or progress within their professional roles when supporting others — not as clinicians, but as equals. It’s about turning pain into purpose, and story into service.

Whether you're already in the world of peer support or just curious about what this programme involves, Nicky offers a moving, real, and deeply personal take on what it means to grow, support, and walk alongside others in their experiences.

Welcome to this special two-part episode, where Nicky shares her deeply personal journey into Peer Support training.

In this first episode, Nicky takes us through the pivotal moments of her life—ones filled with love, loss, resilience, and self-discovery. Born in Sheffield as the middle child of three, she always felt she had to work harder to achieve her dreams. From childhood imaginings of owning a rock shop on the east coast to building a successful career in hairdressing and training, her path has been shaped by determination and creativity.

As a teenager, Nicky moved to South Africa, where she built a new life. But at just 21, she suffered a devastating loss—her mother, her rock and source of strength, passed away. Life moved forward, and Nicky found love, married, and was expecting a child. But then, tragedy struck again. Her husband was violently taken from her when she was six months pregnant, shattering the world she had built. With no choice but to carry on, she found the strength to keep moving forward, step by step.

Twelve years later, she made the difficult decision to return to the UK with her son, where new challenges emerged—his struggles with mental health and addiction, her own battles with cancer, lupus, and a painful skin condition. Yet, through it all, Nicky found purpose. Peer Support became more than just a training course—it became a lifeline, a way to turn pain into progress.

In this episode, she opens up about the moments that shaped her, the lessons she’s learned, and the incredible power of resilience.

Let’s step into Nicky’s world.

Imagine starting your career at 16, climbing the corporate ladder for over 20 years, only to pivot completely in search of a more meaningful path. That’s exactly what Nicky did.

After the birth of her daughter in 2006, she built a career that revolved around creativity, flexibility, and supporting others—whether through running her own businesses, coaching women, or helping small business owners amplify their voices.

But behind the success was a silent struggle. Growing up in a generation where mental health wasn’t spoken about, Nicky learned to mask her emotions. It wasn’t until a breakdown in 2020 that she faced her own mental health challenges head-on, using everything she had learned over the years to rebuild.

And in doing so, she found her true calling.

Now a Peer Support Worker with Mind in Waltham Forest, Nicky uses her lived experience to help others on their recovery journeys. She knows firsthand what it means to struggle, but also what it takes to heal.

In this episode, Nicky shares her powerful story—from the corporate world to personal coaching, from breakdown to breakthrough, and ultimately, to a career she never knew existed but was always meant for.

If you’ve ever felt lost in your career, battled with your mental health, or wondered how your past experiences could shape a more meaningful future, this conversation is for you.

Join us for an inspiring discussion on resilience, reinvention, and the power of lived experience.

In this compelling episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we meet Charli, who built a demanding career in British Aerospace while privately battling mental health challenges. After a long and transformative healing journey, Charli made the bold decision to switch careers and dedicate herself to peer support—using her lived experience to help others facing similar struggles.

Now a perinatal peer supporter, Charli works with mothers, families, and neurodivergent parents navigating the complexities of postnatal mental health, including:

This episode sheds light on the power of lived experience in perinatal mental health care and the critical role of peer support in reducing stigma, fostering community, and providing compassionate guidance to families facing postnatal challenges.

🎧 Listen now to hear Charli’s inspiring journey and the life-changing impact of perinatal peer support for mothers, families, and neurodivergent parents.

In this insightful episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we speak with Tooba, a dedicated psychology student who discovered the power of peer support while working in a secondary school. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she recognized that young people struggling with their mental well-being often find it easier to open up to peers rather than adults.

Through her experience as a peer supporter in schools, Tooba discusses:

This episode highlights the transformative impact of peer support in education, emphasising how student-led initiatives can create a more compassionate and understanding environment for young people navigating mental health challenges.

🎧 Listen now to hear Tooba’s inspiring journey and the crucial role of peer support in shaping young people’s mental health.

In this compelling episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we hear the powerful story of Gary, whose early years were shaped by the challenges of being a military child. Growing up in a constantly shifting environment—moving from base to base as his father served in the RAF—Gary struggled with the emotional toll of repeatedly breaking friendships, adjusting to new surroundings, and dealing with the instability of military family life.

As these experiences took a toll on his mental health, Gary eventually faced a mental health crisis that led to hospitalisation. However, his journey didn’t end there. Through peer support, trauma-informed care, and professional help, he found a way forward. Today, Gary is a dedicated peer support worker with the NHS project Op Courage, where he provides essential mental health support for veterans, service leavers, and reservists.

In this episode, Gary shares:

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in veterans' mental health, the power of peer support, and the importance of understanding trauma in military families. Whether you're a veteran, a supporter, or someone passionate about mental health advocacy, Gary’s journey will leave you inspired.

🎧 Listen now to hear Gary’s story of resilience, recovery, and the vital role of peer support in veterans’ mental health.