Ellie Meikle, Policy and Engagement Officer at Samaritans Scotland, talks about her work with Samaritans Scotland's Lived Experience Advisory Group over the last two years.
Some members of Samaritans Scotland's Lived Experience Advisory Group at the launch of the "Five Priorities to Save Lives" manifesto in November 2025, alongside Executive Director for Scotland, Neil Mathers, and Head of Policy and Communications, Danielle Rowley.
"Lived Experience is at the heart of all we do at Samaritans Scotland. It shapes our strategy, our programmes and policy work, our campaigns and comms, and each member of our teams' understanding of the work we do and why we do it. "
Ellie Meikle, Policy and Engagement Officer, Samaritans Scotland
This year, on World Mental Health Day, we're thinking about how support starts with being heard. Some of the most important voices in our work are those with lived experience.
Lived Experience is at the heart of all we do at Samaritans Scotland. It shapes our strategy, our programmes and policy work, our campaigns and communications, and our understanding of the work we do and why we do it. For our small team, our Lived Experience Advisors become our extended team members, providing advice, feedback and support to our team and our work.
Our Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) meet every two weeks online, allowing for representation from all over Scotland. After our sessions, I will reliably be sent a message from my colleagues saying how useful the time was, how valuable the feedback will be, and how lovely and welcoming the group feels.
We always set out to create a warm, friendly atmosphere in our groups to ensure each individual member feels comfortable showing up and sharing their thoughts, feelings, and taking part in the discussions.
This time last year, we brought the idea of creating a Samaritans Scotland manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election to the LEAG. We asked whether this was something they thought we should do, how they thought it should be set out, and the issues that were important to them that should be included. This came to be our 'Five Priorities to Save Lives' manifesto.
The LEAG shaped this manifesto from the start, continuously providing feedback throughout the process.
When the manifesto was finalised in late 2025, we switched our focus on how to best engage with decision makers. The LEAG not only helped to plan our launch event, but they played a vital role by being present at the launch, providing information about the manifesto to attendees, and taking part in our panel discussion. There is nothing more powerful than hearing why these asks matter from point of view of someone with lived experience.
From start to finish, our manifesto was shaped, guided and edited by lived experience. We relied on their expertise to ensure we could properly reflect the needs of the people of Scotland through our five asks of the new Parliament.
Through this lived experience engagement, we not only gain insight and knowledge, but we gain confidence in our work. Through my time working with our group, I have been lucky enough to present work for feedback and facilitate and lead group discussions. As I was building my own skills and developing my confidence, I was reassured, encouraged and given space by lived experience members who were generous with their kindness and feedback.
As much as we are here to support the LEAG and ensure that our lived experience work is meaningful, the insights they provide to us are invaluable. As a staff team, we gain a huge amount from working alongside them. Samaritans Scotland is proud to be shaped by lived experience, one of the most valuable and powerful tools in our work towards a Scotland where fewer lives are lost to suicide.
Ellie Meikle, Policy and Engagement Officer at Samaritans Scotland.