Download document: From ‘they’ to ‘we’ - Reflections on working as lived experience advisors
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At Samaritans, we know the importance of listening, so we’re creating more opportunities for people with personal experience of using our services, and of suicide and self-harm, including those bereaved, to share their views and experiences with us.
Lived experience must be at the heart of everything we do. We want to ensure our work is informed by the experience and insights of those who need us most, who can help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide
Julie Bentley, CEO
People with lived experience have important insights that can help shape and inform our work. We’re committed to supporting people with lived experience to have their voices heard.
Join our online panel and complete surveys and polls on issues that interest you
Find out more about Samaritans’ Lived Experience Panel
Samaritans Lived Experience Panel Newsletter
Each quarter we produce a newsletter to showcase how Samaritans Lived Experience Panel has helped to shape and inform our work.
Find out more about the ‘You said, we listened’ newsletter
Download our current and past editions here
Lived Experience opportunities
We are also developing a range of opportunities for people with lived experience to be involved in the work that we do. This could involve working alongside us on specific projects, joining an advisory group, or becoming a Board Member.
Current opportunities
If you have any questions or feedback about Lived Experience Involvement at Samaritans, please contact us at [email protected]
From ‘they’ to ‘we’ - Reflections on working as lived experience advisors
From “they” to “we” explores the reflections of lived experience advisors and researchers who worked together on a research project. The project explored the benefits and risks of peer support for people who self-harm.
Both the advisors and the researchers found there were a range of benefits to involving people with lived experience in the research, including helping the advisors overcome stigma.
The advisors also developed a set of principles for meaningful and appropriate lived experience engagement with people who self-harm. These principles are rooted in the successes, challenges, and learnings of this research project.