When Lucy first connected with Allkind (formerly WCL Mind), she was navigating one of the most difficult chapters of her life. After years as a full-time carer for her aunt, she experienced a deep sense of loss when her aunt passed away. “I was going through the usual bereavement things and trying to get my life back on track,” she recalls. She returned to work, but as the anniversary of her aunt’s passing approached, the weight of grief and accumulated life pressures became overwhelming.
Having previously attended a Allkind bereavement group, Lucy knew where to turn. “I’d had bereavement support through Allkind shortly after she passed, and it was really helpful. I felt I needed more support, so I came back. I’ve seen it as a real lifeline, really.”
Before re-engaging with the service, Lucy noticed familiar challenges resurfacing, feelings of overwhelm, difficulty coping, and the return of troubling thoughts she’d previously experienced. Our newsletters spotlighting our Peer Support service continued to arrive in her inbox, reminding her that help was still available.
“One day I just thought, I’m going to go to a session. I went to an online group, and it started from there,” she says. Through a combination of peer support groups and thematic workshops, she found practical techniques to manage anxiety and panic attacks, alongside a space to reflect on the roots of her struggles.
Lucy first heard about Allkind through her GP, whom she describes as “very supportive” and committed to holistically helping her wellbeing beyond medication alone.
Despite initial hesitation, joining groups soon became a positive experience. The flexibility of online and in-person sessions made a meaningful difference.
“There are times when I don’t feel able to come in person, but I can manage an online group,” she explains. “The sessions are facilitated well. If you want to talk, there’s space, and if you just want to listen, that’s fine too. It’s a very welcoming environment.”
Since returning, Lucy has been diagnosed with both PTSD and heightened anxiety, as well as other health conditions. “It’s helped me understand my condition,” she says. “Having the peer support service makes you feel like you’re not on your own and not isolated. It’s a lifesaver.”
Meeting others with similar experiences has helped her build a sense of community. “You see others at different stages, and it feels like a family. Even if it’s online, it still feels safe and non-judgemental.”
“Amazing” is how Lucy describes the staff and the breadth of programmes available. From workshops and peer groups to lighter social activities like quizzes and games, the variety gives participants choices to suit their needs.
She also highlights the vital impact of free access. “There’s no barrier. I was on a waiting list for counselling for a long time, and in the meantime this support really helped. It prepared me for counselling, especially reliving traumatic experiences.”
For anyone hesitant about joining, she encourages, “Go for it. It really does help. You might feel daunted at first and think everyone knows each other but just stick with it. There’s no judgment, and it really makes a difference.”
She describes the experience as grounding and clarifying, a way to make sense of thoughts that can feel tangled. “It helps unravel your mind when it feels like things are going round and round, like a washing machine spinning.”
For many, simply hearing “You’re not on your own” can be transformative.
Reflecting on her progress, Lucy says the service has helped her recognise patterns she had been avoiding for years. “Now that I’m aware of that, I can work on it through counselling. I’m not saying I can fix it completely, but I can understand it better and hopefully move forward.”
Her journey is a powerful example of how connection, compassion, and community can support recovery, one step, one session, one conversation at a time.
Find out more about our Peer Support service.
