In this episode of the Community of Excellence podcast, host Nil Suner speaks with Claire Groves, a peer coordinator at the North London Foundation Trust. Claire shares her personaljourney with mental health, detailing her experiences with addiction and recovery. Claire discusses her transition into peer support work, the importance of lived experience in mental health services and the challenges and rewards of working in crisis services. Claire emphasises the significance of training, self-awareness and the value of sharing experiences in supporting others.

In this episode of the Community of Excellence podcast, Nil Suner interviews Femi Gbadamosi, a lived experienceworkforce lead, about his journey into the field of mental health and peer support. Femi shares his unique path from studying accounting to working in forensic mental health services, emphasising the importance of lived experiencein supporting others.

The conversation explores the role of peers in mental health services, the challenges they face and the impact ofpeer support on recovery. Femi discusses the need for better support for peers, the significance of resilience in their work and the potential for cost savings in mental health services through effective peer support.

In this episode of the Community of Excellence podcast, Selina Akhtar shares her journey into peer support work, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. Selena emphasises the importance of lived experience in mental health services and the evolution of peer support roles over the years.

Selina also delves into the significance of self-care and personal growth, highlighting the need forsystemic support for peer workers and the value of mentorship in professional development. The conversation offers insights into the complexities of mental health, advocacy and the importance of authenticity in one's role.