Community of Practice (CoP) – Lived Experience

There is growing practice in Scotland to ensure that people with lived experience are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them, and that people’s voices are at the centre of policy and practice. Yet, the practice of lived experience engagement is still developing, and there remains barriers to creating a consistent, positive and impactful experience for people sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Within this context, the ALLIANCE has created the Community of Practice (CoP) for Lived Experience, that can build on our current practices, create a culture that is committed to ensuring that engagement is person centred and inclusive, and ensure that opportunities available for people to get involved are multi-faceted and flexible. This community, comprised of individuals and professionals involved in lived experience, is a space to connect, and share learning, challenges and ideas on meaningfully involving lived experience across all areas of policy and service development.

From their participation so far, CoP members have found that they are better able to incorporate the voice of lived experience into their organisation’s policy work; that they have a space to learn what other organisations are doing, and benefit from learning to develop their own organisation’s approach to lived experience; and that they’re able to make connections with others in similar roles and take part in peer support.

If you have a role in facilitating lived experience engagement and would like to join the Community of Practice, please email rachel.cairns@alliance-scotland.org.uk for more information.

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