Shoulder to Shoulder by With-you

S3 Ep 1: Byron’s Story – From Stroke Survivor to Peer Supporter

Byron’s Story
In this deeply moving episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we share the inspirational recovery story of Byron, a former recruitment consultant living in Dubai with his wife and two children. When the pandemic struck, Byron suffered a devastating stroke, forcing him to leave his family behind and return to England alone to begin a long, gruelling stroke recovery journey.
Amid the physical and emotional challenges, Byron discovered the power of peer support in recovery—a turning point that gave him hope and purpose. Through the support of others with lived experience, he found strength, resilience, and a new path forward. Now, after completing Peer Support training with With-you, Byron dedicates his life to helping others navigate their own struggles, proving that no one has to face recovery alone.
Join us for this emotional and powerful conversation about survival, healing, and the life-changing impact of peer support. Whether you’re looking for stroke recovery motivation, mental health support, or insight into becoming a peer supporter, Byron’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Byron’s journey!
 

S3 Ep 2: Healing Through Peer Support – Jenny’s Journey from Childhood Trauma to Helping Others

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, we sit down with Jenny, whose journey of resilience began in a childhood marked by mental and emotional trauma. The pain and struggles of her early years followed her into adulthood, shaping her experiences and challenges. But through the power of peer support, Jenny found the strength to embark on a long and difficult journey of self-discovery and healing.
Determined to break free from the past, she made the life-changing decision to move across the country and start anew—rebuilding her life with her wonderful husband and two beautiful children. Now, as a dedicated peer support worker, Jenny uses her lived experience to support others navigating similar paths, proving that healing is possible with the right support system.
This episode delves into the life-changing impact of peer support, trauma-informed care, and the importance of community in recovery. Whether you’re looking for insights on overcoming childhood trauma, the role of peer support in mental health recovery, or how trauma-informed care empowers survivors, Jenny’s story is a testament to the power of connection, resilience, and hope.
🎧 Listen now to hear Jenny’s powerful story of transformation, healing, and the incredible impact of peer support.
 

S3 Ep: 3 From Military Child to Mental Health Advocate – Gary’s Journey with Op Courage

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:✔️ How military life impacts childhood development and male mental health✔️ The challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life✔️ The critical role of peer support and trauma-informed care in recovery✔️ His work with Op Courage, helping veterans reclaim their mental well-being
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.
 

S3 Ep4: The Power of Young Peer Supporters – Tooba’s Mission to Help Students’ Mental Health

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:✔️ The unique role of younger peer supporters in helping students feel understood and less alone✔️ Why peer support programs in schools are crucial for early mental health intervention✔️ How peer-led mental health initiatives bridge the gap between students and professional help✔️ The importance of normalising mental health conversations among school-age young people
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.
 

S3 Ep 5: From Aerospace to Perinatal Peer Support – Charli’s Journey of Healing and Helping Others

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:✔️ The role of perinatal peer support in post-natal depression and anxiety recovery✔️ How peer-led mental health support bridges the gap between clinical care and emotional support✔️ The unique challenges faced by neurodivergent parents during pregnancy and early parenthood✔️ Why peer support for new mothers and families is vital for maternal mental health and overall family well-being
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.
 

S3 Ep. 6 From Corporate Life to Peer Support – Nicky’s Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

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.
 

S3 Ep:7 part 1 Survival and Strength: Nicky’s Path to Peer Support

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.

S3 Ep 7 Part 2: The Peer Worker Apprenticeship - Making a Difference

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.

S3 Ep:8 Neurodivergent Voices: With William Gallini-Pool

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.