From Recovery to Advocacy: “My Journey with Imroc”

Written by Chris Fredrick

Let me begin with a funny story, as I so often do with my writing. There I was, standing on the platform at St. Pancras Train Station, ready to embark on my journey to Nottingham for Imroc’s internal launch event. Now, St. Pancras has this habit of putting two trains on the same platform—one to Sheffield, the other to Nottingham. You can see where this is going, right? I boarded the Sheffield train, found my seat, and settled in with my homemade cheese and pickle sandwich, waiting for the 12:05 departure. But at 12:02, the train began moving, and the announcement came: “This train is heading to Sheffield, first stop Leicester.” Panic set in until the ticket inspector assured me, I could get off at Leicester and catch the Nottingham train on the same platform—disaster averted.

That little mix-up somehow felt symbolic of the day. Much like my journey, the Imroc event was about communication, connection, and finding our way through shared experiences.

Reuniting with a Familiar Face

The event brought together many from the Imroc family, fostering an opportunity to share stories, celebrate successes, and find common ground. For me, one of those connections was with Waldo Roeg. We first crossed paths in 2021/22 when he was a Peer Trainer at CNWL BRC. Waldo’s story moved me then, and we have stayed in touch, but this event was the first time we met in person. To my surprise, Waldo shares my love for Star Wars and even worked on Raiders of the Lost Ark with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg! It was one of those serendipitous moments that reminded me of the power of connection, both in our personal journeys and in the work we do.

A VUCA World and Imroc’s Values

Imroc is a unique organisation in many ways. Our team, from CEO to trustees, operates remotely, which makes events like this one especially valuable. As our Board Chair Steven said, we live in a ‘VUCA’ (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world, and moments of connection are vital. Imroc’s core values—Belonging, Openness, Quality, and Equity—resonate deeply with me, and I feel privileged to support an organisation that embodies these principles.

This year has been a transformative one for Imroc, as we have made the transition from a CIC (Community Interest Company) to a fully-fledged charity. It has been a time of growth and heavy lifting behind the scenes, but the future looks brighter than ever.

The Power of Lived Experience

A defining moment for me during the event came when the facilitator asked, “Raise your hand if you have lived experience of any form of mental health challenge.” I turned my head and saw the vast majority of the room had raised their hand. It was a powerful, unifying moment that reinforced Imroc’s commitment to lived experience. There was no stigma, no shame—just truth. And it was then I knew I was in the right place.

Turning Recovery Into Discovery

Imroc’s central aim is simple: “To Live Well.” But as simple as that sounds, it takes commitment, passion, and dedication from everyone involved. Imroc is perhaps best known for its pioneering work in training peer support workers and consulting with organisations across the UK and internationally. To date, they have helped train 230 Recovery Colleges in 30 countries across five continents—a remarkable achievement.

For me, my journey with Imroc began in a moment of crisis. After my second suicide attempt in June 2021, I was signposted to the CNWL Brent Recovery College. It was there, in a state of desperation, that I first encountered the hope that Imroc offers. As Julie, our inspiring CEO, said, “We try to take the focus off the problems and look at what could be the possibilities.” That sentiment resonates deeply with me because it was Imroc that helped turn my personal recovery into a discovery—an exploration of what could be, rather than what was.

Reflections on the Future

As I reflect on my journey with Imroc, I realise how far we have come—not just as an organisation, but as individuals united by shared experience and a collective goal. There is still so much work to be done in the sector, particularly around reducing the stigma of mental health challenges and ensuring that lived experience is at the heart of every conversation about recovery. But with the dedication, passion, and resilience I have seen in the Imroc team, I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.

I leave you with this thought: I will never forget what they have done for my recovery journey. Moving from crisis patient to Board Trustee.