Wednesday 18 February 2026
Joe and Carol use their own experiences of recovering from psychosis to support others and provide hope that recovery is possible.
Affectionately named Friday Club after the day of the week it initially took place, the peer support group now takes place every Tuesday.
Meetings take place in various locations, including Guisborough and Saltburn.
It is part of the care provided by one of our Early Intervention in Psychosis services.
The group was created by staff, patients and families. We initially led the sessions with the group members gradually becoming more involved. Joe and Carol stepped up to becoming natural leads in the group and since being discharged, they volunteer their time to continue to lead the group. We continue to facilitate the group.
Carol and Joe at the Friday Club
Camaraderie and hope for people who have experienced psychosis
Carol says that after being discharged from the service she still wanted to be part of the group, to support others.
Joe says:
It’s important to have support. I’ve been through a lot in my psychosis. It was like living a nightmare. Now I want to do what I can to help other people.”
He says the group offers camaraderie and fun.
The scariness of experiencing things that are not real
Joe describes his experience of psychosis as scary and isolating.
He says: “You can look quite normal, but on the inside, you’re being tortured.”
Unaware that he was experiencing psychosis, before getting treatment Joe believed someone was going to kill him. He describes that he was researching self-defence as well as talking to Norse Gods.
He explains: “You could have psychosis and not realise. I didn’t realise I was ill.”
He believes that there are lots of misconceptions about the condition.
He says:
It’s not as simple as seeing things. It felt real.”
Carol describes psychosis as scary. She says:
I think it’s hard for people to imagine. I wish more people were educated about it.”
The group is an opportunity to connect with others
Carol and Joe say that psychosis can be socially isolating.
The Friday Club provides people with an opportunity to connect with others who may be going though similar experiences.
Carol said that one of the things she values about the group is that it is a place to “safely talk about past experiences” where others would understand. She says:
It’s good to see people and to have genuine support. It’s more than just a group.”
Stephen Wallace is a Mental Health Nurse within the Early Intervention Psychosis service based at Foxrush House in Redcar.
He says: “Having a space to share their experiences can be beneficial to those who attend, and this can be easier to do with a peer.”
Meaningful activities based on people’s interests
Each week group activities vary depending on the interests and skills of those attending.
Activities have included walks, tree hugging, coffee and cake, chats, crochet, going to museums and lunches.
Steven says: “It is always the peers within the group that input into the group’s plans.
Psychosis is so scary for people and families. But there is hope. Recovery from psychosis is possible.
“Friday Club is a Peer Support Group that has its foundations based on the Hearing Voices Network guidance and training to facilitate Hearing Voices Groups. People who have lived experience are in a great place to support their peers.
“It was the group that decided on the name and to hold the group in the community settings to reduce the stigma attached.”
Stephen Wallace, mental health nurse, pictured to the right alongside Joe and Carol.
Connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment
Steven’s team use the CHIME principles, to help people to recover from psychosis. CHIME is a mnemonic, which the letters standing for connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment.
Steven says that the Friday Club can help people to have a regular routine that meets these principles. He says: “Social involvement is very important in helping people regain their confidence and reclaiming their identity.”
Group members worked together on an art project displayed at Foxrush House in Redcar.
Stephen says: “The group found that having an indoor venue was beneficial during the winter months and considered that working on a project might be a good idea.
“The group decided that the aim would be to investigate the benefit of the group on recovery and the creation of something that might attract new members.
“We decided that we would create a poster, spoke about recovery and what this means making a collection of words and statements. This gradually developed into a collaboratively created piece of artwork with a poem that came from many of the words.”
Read more: NHS information about psychosis
