Why Lived Experience Matters
Including people with lived experience isn't just good practice—it's essential for creating effective services and policies. When you bring in the valuable perspectives of those who have directly experienced your services, you gain:
- Deeper insights into how your services actually work on the ground
- More relevant and accessible solutions to complex problems
- Enhanced credibility and trust with your communities
- Innovative approaches that academic expertise alone might miss
As research has shown, "The people and families who have lived experience of services are a vital source of intelligence about how to improve these services.
Email for more information: [email protected]
Our Comprehensive Support Services
Evaluate
We'll work with you to evaluate your current approach and develop a tailored strategy for meaningful inclusion.
Strategy
Our team will help you move beyond tokenistic involvement to create genuine partnerships.
Inclusive
We'll work with you to create truly inclusive environments.
Fair
We'll support you to develop fair payment structures and recognition systems.
Engagement
Our team will help you design and implement accessible engagement processes so you can reach the right people.
Safe Spaces
We'll advise on how to create safe spaces for sharing experiences and life stories.
Our Approach: Beyond the "Illusion of Inclusion"
Many organisations claim to value lived experience but fail to create the necessary structures for meaningful participation. This creates what’s called "an 'illusion of inclusion'" where people are "invited into rooms but are not truly heard."
At Foothold Cymru we have been practicing co-production and codesign before such practices become vouge. It is part of our DNA.
We're committed to helping your organisation by:
- Ensuring lived experience influences decisions at every level
- Creating genuine power-sharing structures
- Establishing transparent policies on fair compensation
- Implementing emotional support mechanisms
- Addressing racial and other disparities in whose lived experience is valued
Email for more information: [email protected]
