Introduction
Following the publication of Inclusion’s Trauma-Informed Practice Guidance, our services are committed to embed the principles. In this article, Katie Ireland, a Peer Learning Support Worker from Inclusion Recovery College Thurrock, discusses how being trauma-informed has allowed for her to extend her voice in support and reassurance for those who haven’t found theirs yet.
The power of lived experience and peer support is undeniable. In my role, I often feel like a real-life superhero. Think about it: meeting someone who has been to the moon is awe-inspiring. While we know space travel is possible and can read about it, we rarely envision ourselves in that position or hear those personal stories.
The same applies to mental health recovery. We all know it’s achievable; there’s significant evidence that people recover. But meeting someone who is actively on that journey? That’s a superhero moment. Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be where I am today. In this role, I finally feel that I matter, and that realisation has profoundly boosted my confidence.
This is the true power of lived experience and peer support. We advocate fiercely to ensure that no one gets forgotten or left behind. We emphasise how we wish we had been represented during our struggles. We respectfully challenge the status quo because, while many possess extensive knowledge, lived experience provides a critical perspective. I can confidently state, “If I were a service user or student, this is how that would impact me.” My experiences are mine, and that gives me a powerful, unassailable voice.
This approach has significantly enhanced trauma-informed practice within the recovery college. I address uncomfortable conversations head-on and confront issues that could potentially harm students or staff. It’s crucial to create a safe environment for everyone involved. We must protect not only students from re-traumatisation, but also the staff who support them. Open dialogue, earnest communication, and authenticity are non-negotiable.
To be fully effective in my role, I bring my complete self—vulnerabilities and all—only when I feel it is safe to do so. Lived experience and peer support create that safety. We understand first-hand what it means to lack safety, and we are determined to ensure that no one has to face that again.
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I am a voice for those who haven’t reached this point yet and who doubt their own voices will be heard.
- Katie Ireland, Peer Learning Support Worker