EP 16: Survival and Strength: Nicky’s Path to Peer Support

Welcome to this special two-part episode, where Nicky shares her deeply personal journey into Peer Support training.

In this first episode, Nicky takes us through the pivotal moments of her life—ones filled with love, loss, resilience, and self-discovery. Born in Sheffield as the middle child of three, she always felt she had to work harder to achieve her dreams. From childhood imaginings of owning a rock shop on the east coast to building a successful career in hairdressing and training, her path has been shaped by determination and creativity.

As a teenager, Nicky moved to South Africa, where she built a new life. But at just 21, she suffered a devastating loss—her mother, her rock and source of strength, passed away. Life moved forward, and Nicky found love, married, and was expecting a child. But then, tragedy struck again. Her husband was violently taken from her when she was six months pregnant, shattering the world she had built. With no choice but to carry on, she found the strength to keep moving forward, step by step.

Twelve years later, she made the difficult decision to return to the UK with her son, where new challenges emerged—his struggles with mental health and addiction, her own battles with cancer, lupus, and a painful skin condition. Yet, through it all, Nicky found purpose. Peer Support became more than just a training course—it became a lifeline, a way to turn pain into progress.

In this episode, she opens up about the moments that shaped her, the lessons she’s learned, and the incredible power of resilience.

Let’s step into Nicky’s world.