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(Photos: Ani Sarpe)
For the past three years, your donations have allowed ‘Superheroics Volume One’ to quietly travel further than I expected. Rooted in my dad’s philosophy and teachings, more copies have reached mental health services, charities, hospitals, prisons and, since last year, HM Young Offender Institution detention centres for 15 – 21 year olds, all gifted with one simple hope: that someone, somewhere, finds it at the right moment and, in a world that feels like it’s falling apart, chooses to keep going.
Building on previous updates, here’s the 2025 list of where physical copies (all from, and thanks to, you) have been sent since the beginning:
The King’s Trust, Westminster Magistrates Court, Southwark Crown Court, Ealing Magistrates Court, MIND, Together for Mental Wellbeing, Samaritans, HMP Belmarsh, St Andrews Healthcare, Capital Project Trust, HMP Ford, HMP Bronzefield, HMP/YOI Foston Hall, HMP/YOI New Hall, HMP/YOI Styal, St Giles, Wimbledon Magistrates & Youth Courts, HMP Wymott, Training Trust, HMP Stafford and Croydon Crown Court, distributed to on-site libraries, common areas, wards, individual clients, patients, service users, prisoners and/or healthcare professionals.
(Photo: Pavel Trenkovski)
My role as a Criminal Justice Peer Supporter at Together for Mental Wellbeing has taught me a great deal about caring for people of different ages and backgrounds, from first-timers to repeat offenders. They all carry unforgettable life stories that opened my eyes to a completely different world from the one I knew growing up – the world my mum and dad showed me, full of possibility. For many of my clients, there’s been very little opportunity and a great deal of pain and judgement.
I’ve experienced a version of that myself.
I only spent one chapter of my life on that side, rebuilding from scratch after a breakdown a few years ago, and although it was temporary, it nearly destroyed me. That’s why I have such deep respect for my clients. Many have endured years or decades of circumstances so severe they defy belief, often from birth, and have survived against almost impossible odds.
So many grew up without protection, guidance or anyone to keep them safe from the worst of the world. After years lost in the dark, their moral compass slipped, often without them realising it. Most genuinely believed they were doing the right thing at the time, acting on what felt like solid “facts” or proof that later turned out to be shaped by trauma, fear and/or distorted reality.
I noticed this pattern early, especially in severe post-psychotic cases where people could no longer tell what was real or not, up or down, right or wrong. As someone who’s made many (read: maaaaaaaaany) mistakes in my past, this hit close to home, so I wanted to help them rebuild from zero without being led so far astray again, especially by their own minds.
That’s when I began sharing the superheroic philosophy my dad lived by, the mindset he credited
for his journey from a poor miner’s son to the top of his field. He said superheroes and supervillains are not defined by powers or pasts but by choice. A superhero responds to pain, injustice and hardship by doing what is right and selfless. A supervillain reacts by harming others or prioritising ego, and we become one or the other through the everyday decisions we make when life tests us.
At its core, the goal of superheroics is to anchor people, regardless of their past, to a clear sense of right and wrong. Used as scaffolding, it helps disoriented minds navigate the psyche’s labyrinth and gradually build a life they can tolerate, and maybe even love.
(Photo: Pavel Trenkovski)
In many cases, the damage began in childhood. Children start as blank canvases, full of curiosity and imagination, only later to be broken by the world and in need to heal from their childhoods.
Here’s what we know about kids:
1. They see no divisions until we create them.
2. They absorb everything.
3. They persist when learning.
4. Their imagination knows no bounds.
5. They mirror the people around them.
Jordan Peterson said, “faulty tools produce faulty results.” If that’s true, the responsibility sits with us. We keep passing unexamined flaws down, shaping future suffering rather than future strength.
Client example: Born into severe poverty, with both parents stealing to survive, he grew up doing the same, “nick a buck here and there,” as he put it. When superheroics helped him see that he wasn’t stealing from faceless pockets, but from a grandmother counting her pension, a parent saving up for their kids, and others carrying heavy stories, something in him altered. He told me he couldn’t be a thief anymore. Now, he works as a builder, earning an honest wage, and is about to open his own business soon.
(Illustration: Alukkart)
Many say, “There’s no right or wrong in nature.” But there is in human nature. After witnessing
countless inner battles between a person’s superhero and supervillain, with that inner conflict shaping the choices they make, one thing stands out: people are generally happier when they choose what they believe to be right. Whatever chaos unfolds around them, a clear conscience gives them something solid to stand on.
When people say, “What may be right for me may not be right for you,” I’m not talking about preferences like pasta right, pizza wrong (just examples – I don’t actually think pizza could be wrong), green yes, red no, bike right, car wrong, etc. I mean, the foundation of what you stand for. Tall or short, young or old, are you pro-peace or pro-war? Pro-love or pro-hate? Which side are you truly feeding? The reason I’m asking is because we can’t serve two masters.
My dad said life was like maths: if you keep adding negative numbers into your life’s equation, the result will always be negative. According to him, we’re here to change the numbers for the better – one person, one moment, one choice at a time. He saw Earth as a training ground to test our resolve and character. Through stories of superheroes and supervillains, he told me that our actions matter, and that every day we are becoming one or the other.
I began using the same approach with my clients, and Christine, my peer support coordinator (and someone without whom I wouldn’t be here) was the first to notice a shift as the initial five written testimonials landed in her inbox. Seeing that feedback right there in front of me made it clear that superheroics was no longer just my dad’s philosophy to me, but a lifeline for the very people whose words I was reading.
(Illustration: Alukkart)
I remember thinking, “If it works with these five people, what about the next five?” And that’s how this chapter started, which wouldn’t have been possible without Christine’s belief in me and in superheroics, or without Together’s support of my ideas. Our shared commitment to helping as many people as possible led us to become finalists for this year’s National Lived Experience Awards, something I could never have imagined just a few years back.
Let’s see what 2026 brings, as Together’s London criminal justice service moves under a new organisation with the aim of further growth and expansion. In the meantime, if this resonates with you, or if you know someone who’s going through a difficult time and might benefit from talking to me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. That’s what I’m here for.
Thank you.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank
*Due to the printing process, the page numbers on the hard copy differ from those on the free download
“She uses her lived experiences in a highly positive way to support people towards a future where their mental wellbeing is much improved.”
“I am a Criminal Justice Community Link Worker with the Together Community Liaison and Diversion Service, where Liv has been a Peer Supporter for several years.
What is clear about Liv straightaway is how passionate, committed and enthusiastic she is regarding her work. She uses her lived experiences in a highly positive way to support people towards a future where their mental wellbeing is much improved. Her knowledge and insight are of invaluable benefit to both staff and clients alike.
Liv has true empathy for others, and is always able to see situations through the eyes of the individual
concerned, whatever their background may be. She is a constant source of ideas and suggestions too, and a brilliant listener.
Liv’s contribution to Peer Support at Together continues to be immense, and is hugely appreciated by so many.”
– Tilly Steel, Criminal Justice Community Link Worker, Together for Mental Wellbeing Community Liaison & Diversion Service (East Cluster), Highbury & Islington Magistrates Court
“She provides support for people with complex needs, including mental health. Her work makes this world a better place, and she’s a true hero for it.”
“Liv is always passionate, never misses a detail of any service user’s history and needs, and is always ready to go the extra mile.
With her lived experience and non-judgmental approach, she provides support for people with complex needs,
including mental health. Her work makes this world a better place, and she’s a true hero for it.”
– HeeJin Lee, Criminal Justice Community Link Worker, Together for Mental Wellbeing Community Liaison & Diversion Service (South Cluster), Wimbledon Magistrates Court
“a definite positive effect on my wellbeing…
…Each week I feel I am getting stronger…
…Without Liv I really do not know what I would do.”
Dear Christine,
I wanted to thank you so much for Liv’s support. It’s been a life saver, literally. I look forward to talking to Liv every week and call it my special sacred time. For that one hour I can off-load and talk to Liv and realise such burdens I have carried throughout the week. And I feel she really listens and understands my complex situation. I value her input tremendously and know that it’s having a definite positive effect on my wellbeing. Also I make sure I have 5 good things that I have achieved to tell Liv so I can really goal-set and work towards a positive
approach to work towards.
Each week I feel I am getting stronger. My health is improving and I recently went to a cultural event which is really positive for my mental health. Without Liv I really do not know what I would do. I thank you so much for this service. Really Liv is an angel, she is amazing.
“I was not a religious man, but I now believe God put Liv in my life to show there was still a chance to change, even after everything I had done…
…I use Superheroics as a guide to earn each day by doing something good, instead of causing harm.”
“I am not proud of who I used to be. I lied, cheated, stole and worse. When it finally caught up with me, I was too scared to face the consequences and tried to end my own life. They got to me in time.
Liv was asked to speak to me because nothing else was working. She was the first person who did not treat me like a monster. She was not scared of me and she did not judge me. She showed up, listened, and stayed with me at a time when I did not see any point in carrying on.
I was not a religious man, but I now believe God put Liv in my life to show there was still a chance to change, even after everything I had done. I use Superheroics as a guide to earn each day by doing something good, instead of causing harm. I cannot undo the past, but I can take responsibility for it.
Thank you, Liv, for helping me. I was completely lost. Now at least I know which direction I should be taking.
Blessings to you and your organisation.”
“I believe she saved my life, she was the first person who helped me to see the world in a hopeful way.”
“More people should know about Liv’s skills and abilities. I have never really had friends and been a bit of a loner. I did not connect with others and kept to myself. My family never really understood me, and I have felt lonely for most of my life.
After I snapped, I wanted to end my life. Someone Liv had helped before recommended her to me, and I am very grateful for that. Liv helped me to see and understand my villain side, and guided me through my recovery. Today, I am a new and better person. I am also better at communicating, which has helped me to build a better relationship with my family.
What I appreciate abut Liv the most are her honesty, experience, but also her sense of humour and a big heart. From our first conversation, I felt she cared about me, and I trusted her straight away. Liv is very inspiring, and I believe she saved my life, because she was the first person who helped me to see the world in a hopeful way.
A big thank you to Liv and the team.”
“I feel more motivated, less suicidal, my anxiety has improved and I am doing a lot more things that I didn’t use to have the energy or motivation to do”
“Hi Christine,
I currently receive support from Liv. Since I have received her support I have noticed a lot of positive and
significant changes than when I did not receive her support. I feel more motivated, less suicidal, my anxiety has improved and I am doing a lot more things that I didn’t use to have the energy or motivation to do, including managing my social media pages of around 50K followers.
As someone who used to be a support worker myself and administered medication around 6 years ago, I must say that Liv is very passionate, compassionate, understanding, strong, encouraging, energetic and truly genuine in the role that she does. She is perfect at what she does and you can tell it’s truly who she is at the centre of her heart. It’s a blessing to have her support me and should equally be seen as a blessing to have her on board at your service. Once my support with her eventually finishes I aim to recommend her online to my followers and to tell people about the service and how useful it would be for many.
Please look after her as she is a precious gem and I wish there were many others like her as she has a natural ability to resurrect good-hearted people from a stagnant and vegetable mentality and state of mind. Thank you for taking my compliments on board.”
“Working with Liv has quite literally made all the difference. I have been through other support programs…
…nothing had truly worked well enough to stick before. “
Working with Liv has quite literally made all the difference. I have been through other support programs and by the time I started to speak with her it was clear nothing had truly worked well enough to stick before. The difference I noticed between having her as my support from these other services was that for the first time I felt like I had a someone on my side, a genuine person whose priority wasn’t just fulfilling their job but someone who saw me and certainly many others as struggling humans worthy of all the possible kindness she could give.
Initially I was struggling with what was labelled as “low mood” meaning I was essentially just unhappy with how everything in my life was going, despite it not necessarily reflecting bad depressive states it impacted my everyday life, school, relationships I had with family members and friends, views I had of myself, my tendency to put myself at blame for everyone’s issues and unfortunately self-harm. The weekly conversations I was having with Liv where different from what I experienced before as she wasn’t trying to “solve” my issues as quickly as she possibly could but she let me simply talk. Knowing her presence was that space I needed to express myself
not only to someone from an outside perspective but to someone that actually cared, was the best support I could have asked for.
Overtime, her ability to be able to observe and understand not only my points but those of the people or situations we would discuss, both helped me to slowly heal and further to be able to notice those counterpoints myself. Instead of only agreeing with me she was able to show me and teach me how to be open and acknowledge the problems from every possible angle truly training me to also know how to handle others and most importantly myself too.
I can honestly say that during this time I overcame a massive change in almost every aspect of myself and that she was at the centre of it all. I had always praised the act of therapy and support, hoping to even enter the field myself one day as I think it’s a beautiful thing being able to offer someone this level of help and spark to personally develop and flourish in life, and I can safely say Liv did exactly that, while inspiring me to do the same
for others.
Now I have a healed and healthy relationship with myself which of course influences my maturity when dealing with uncomfortable situations and people who may mentally injure me, I have learnt how to accept things for what they are in a way that I’m forever going to be grateful for as I think that’s one of the most valuable
processes Liv has led me through over time, thoughts of self-harm don’t even cross my mind anymore and I truly feel so blessed having this person in my life constantly helping me become the best version of myself I can be, while seeing how far I’ve come on my mental health journey. I couldn’t ask for a better Liv :)
“I am very grateful for Liv’s work…
…With her voice and powerful words, I was able to feel welcomed and I was able to remember my value as a human being.”
“Hello Christine,
Down here is my testimony about Liv (Peer Support).
I am very grateful for Liv’s work. When we first spoke, I was very fragile, suffering from an emotional dependency that had dragged on for years of abuse and indignity. With her voice and powerful words, I was able to feel welcomed and I was able to remember my value as a human being.
Throughout the process, Liv brought many reflections and made me observe myself, supporting me in seeing the heroine version of myself that I had abandoned for so long. This new perspective and enthusiasm for living for a greater purpose and knowing that there is a reason to move towards what is healthy, pleasant and ethical,
repeated weekly, was consolidated within me.
Today I feel able to better manage my emotions and make more rational decisions. I am eternally grateful to Liv and this project that somehow took me by the hand when I was so lost. Thank you so much.”
“Each week I am getting better at managing my mental health and better equipped to cope with each difficult situation I am facing in life…
…Without Liv’s support I do not want to think mentally what I would be without her.”
“Dear Christine,
I am a client of Liv’s, who is my peer supporter. Her support has been priceless and I am so grateful for her input, sheer commitment to me each week, which I find invaluable as I am going through such a complex and difficult time. Her insight into my case and other issues has been amazing.
I find each week I am getting better at managing my mental health and better equipped to cope with each difficult situation I am facing in life. Without Liv’s support I do not want to think mentally what I would be without her. I appreciate and am so grateful for her support. I thank you and her team to make this possible for me each week.”
