Parents and carers supporting each other
Caring for a child struggling with their mental health can be very tough. Often the best support comes from others who’ve been through it – known as parent carer peer support (PCPS).
We offer training to parents and carers with lived experience who are working or volunteering as parent carer peer support workers. The training is also open to parents and carers who are supported by local services and would like to train to become a PCPS worker.
We recently spoke to Karen about her experience of our training. A volunteer Parent Lead within the voluntary sector, Karen’s PCPS journey began over two years ago. She had to give up her career when her daughter became unable to attend school because of her disability and her mental health. Karen told us:
“Overnight, my life changed. I became her full-time carer while trying to navigate education, health and other services, often feeling like I was fighting every day just to get her the support she needed.
“It was, and still is, one of the hardest journeys of my life. It is lonely, emotionally exhausting and relentless. There are days when I question myself, but I never stop fighting for my daughter.”
A group that changed everything
Fortunately, Karen found a group where she could talk about her situation and be understood:
“Finding this group within the voluntary sector changed everything” says Karen. “When I was in crisis, they were there for me. They gave me a safe place where I felt listened to, understood and no longer alone. They became my lifeline at a time when I needed it most.”
As time went on, Karen felt she wanted to give something back. She says:
“I started volunteering at events because I wanted other parents to feel the same support I had received. Then, in October 2025, I became a Parent Lead.”
In this role, Karen provides peer support to parents and carers of children and young people with mental health or neurodiverse needs. She explained a little about her work:
“I support parents and carers of children and young people with mental health or neurodiverse needs. Many families come to us feeling overwhelmed, isolated and exhausted while trying to navigate education, health and support services. Through peer support, listening, sharing lived experience and signposting, I aim to help parents feel heard, less alone and more confident in advocating for their child.”
Developing skills and confidence
We asked Karen why she decided to undertake our PCPS training. She said:
“I wanted to build on my lived experience and develop the skills and confidence to support other parents in the best way I could. Having experienced first-hand how valuable peer support can be, I wanted to make sure I was supporting families in a way that empowered them while understanding the importance of active listening, boundaries and compassionate communication.”
Taking a new training course can sometimes be quite daunting, especially if you are also supporting a child with mental health difficulties.
Our trainers understand this and work very hard to create a safe space. Karen told us:
“I found the training welcoming, engaging and supportive. Learning alongside other parent carers created a safe environment where everyone understood the challenges families can face. It encouraged reflection, discussion and sharing experiences while giving me practical skills that I use in my volunteer role.
“The training reinforced that peer support isn’t about having all the answers. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is listen without judgement, show empathy and help parents recognise their own strengths. It also strengthened my understanding of boundaries, active listening, signposting and empowering parents to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.”
What would Karen say to other people who may be thinking about doing the training?
“I would highly recommend it. Whether you’re new to peer support or already volunteering, the training gives you practical skills, confidence and a better understanding of how to support parents while empowering them to find their own voice. It has made me more confident in my role and strengthened the support I can offer to other families.”
