EP 35: Hansa Raja on Parent Carer Peer Support, feeling unheard — and why listening to carers changes everything.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate is joined by Hansa Raja, founder of Holding Space - a peer-led mental health support service created by and for parents.Hansa’s journey into peer support began when her child experienced serious mental health challenges, at a time when she was also navigating divorce, exhaustion, and fear.  Like many Parent Carers, Hansa felt blamed rather than listened to - referred to parenting courses instead of offered understanding and support.What changed everything wasn’t a diagnosis or a referral. It was peer support.In this conversation, Hansa explains how searching for one other parent who understood led her to create a small online space grounded in lived experience. That space grew into Holding Space, a Parent Carer peer support service offering connection, validation, and practical support to carers who often felt left to cope alone.We explore why peer support for carers works where traditional services can fall short: because it’s relational, non-judgemental, and rooted in shared experience. Hansa talks about the power of being listened to, the importance of early intervention, and why carers’ voices must be taken seriously if we want better mental health outcomes for children and families.The conversation also looks at the wider system; how parents can sometimes feel pushed to the margins of mental health services, why lived experience can still undervalued, and how peer-led mental health support can sit alongside clinical care rather than often being treated as an afterthought.At its heart, this is an episode about lived experience mental health and why peer support isn’t “extra”, but essential.You’ll hear about:Hansa’s lived experience as a parent and carerFeeling unheard and unsupported by servicesWhy peer support mental health approaches work for carersHow Holding Space grew from one connection into a communityEarly intervention and preventing crisis through peer supportThe emotional toll of caring and why carers need support tooHow peer support can empower parentsListen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Show notes & resources:With-you consultancy: www.with-you.co.ukThe Parent Lounge:The Parent Lounge is an online community for parents/carers who are navigating life with children and young people of any age.  It is for anyone who is in a caring role or who is on a journey with their child’s emotional and/or mental health.  It is a safe space to come together, meet others on a similar journey, chat, share, connect and be supported. As the community grows we will build resources and share expertise as well as bring in outside speakers. Meetings will be 1x month online via zoom 6-8pm. Access to The Parent Longe is via this link https://hansa.systeme.io/membership-sales-page-bbbd298eListen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.With-you consultancy: www.with-you.co.uk