Matt's journey: from lived experience to supporting others
This Patient Experience Week is a chance to recognise the strength and hope that personal journeys bring to mental health care. At our Trust, we know that shared experiences with someone who understands helps many in their journey to recovery.
Peer Support Workers like Matt draw on their own recovery journeys to offer understanding and reassurance.
A commitment to peer-led work
Our Trust has a long-standing commitment to peer-led work. This can include co-designing services, delivering training, or supporting people one-to-one. Our practitioners work closely with clinical teams, crisis cafés, the Recovery College, and voluntary sector partners to ensure care is compassionate, person-centred and inclusive.
There are many unique motivations that bring people into this work, whether it’s to give back, share a recovery journey, support others, or help shape better services. We’re committed to supporting their wellbeing, development and career progression every step of the way.
Lived experience at the heart of mental health support
Matt is one of our Lived Experience Practitioners, working primarily with older adults. For him, the role is more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to walk alongside others in their recovery.
“It’s a special role that affords the quality time to work with somebody and contribute positively to their recovery journey. I find it immensely fulfilling.”
Matt was drawn to the role through a personal desire to support others. His own experience as a survivor of domestic abuse and work-related burnout gives him a unique perspective on the challenges others may face, and the compassion and patience to help them navigate through.
“When everything came crashing down in my life, it felt savage. My own recovery journey helps me offer empathy and understanding. Sometimes, people just need a cheerleader beside them, and I try to be that person.”
By building strong, trusting relationships with the people he supports, Matt helps individuals feel empowered to take meaningful steps in their recovery. One moment that stands out for him involved a woman who was feeling socially isolated. Together, they identified a local group that aligned with her interests, with Matt accompanying on the first session.
“From then on, there was no stopping her, and she now attends regularly. It’s not the whole solution, of course, but it’s opened her eyes to new possibilities. Seeing that shift in her perspective was uplifting for both of us.”
