The Power of Lived Experience
Our Experts by Experience Leaders are people who use their lived experience of mental health services and recovery journeys to influence decision-making within Open Mental Health, which is why they’re called ‘leaders’ – they’re leading the transformation using their own life experience of services and more. It’s not a hierarchical term, it’s a term to show that they’re acknowledged to be leading decision-making in this way. To find out more about becoming an EbEL, please visit this page.
Co-production – a journey worth going on.
At Open Mental Health, our aspiration has always been for Experts by Experience to work as equal partners and lead the way in transforming how the mental health system works in Somerset. Coproduction brings so many benefits; the voice of hard-won lived experience can help ensure that services truly meet people’s needs and improve the quality of treatment and support for service users, carers, and families. However, the way is not always easy, as this animation explores.
About our Expert by Experience Leaders
Clare, Former Expert by Experience
“I have been an EbE Leader since 2023 and before that I volunteered as a Recovery Partner for two and a half years, where I worked on a number of NHS projects. I made the move to OMH as I was so inspired by the EbE Leaders I met on some of these projects and saw the positive impact of lived experience on the Open Mental Health Alliance across Somerset.”
Lucy, Former Expert by Experience
“For the past four years, I’ve been part of the Open Mental Health alliance, witnessing its growth, evolution, and the challenges and successes along the way. At its core, co-production ensures that every voice is heard, valued, and actively shaping the support available in Somerset. Open Mental Health marks a fundamental shift in how mental health care is designed and delivered- one that prioritises collaboration, inclusion, and lived experience at every level. Being part of this transformation fills me with an immense sense of pride as we work together to break down barriers and build a system that truly serves those who need it most.”
Debbie, Former Expert by Experience
“I’ve been an EbE leader for a year now. I heard about it through the 100 Women First group that I am part of and thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for me to be part of something where I can use my lived experience to help and support other people. It is so rewarding to be able to give back, as I am recovering and getting stronger now.”
Alex, Former Expert by Experience
“I’ve been an EbE leader for two years. I joined when I met Open Mental Health at a conference where their passion and commitment to changing services amazed me, I didn’t realize it was possible to be so empowered.”
Get Involved
If you’d like join or hear more about the Recovery Partners, there are locality groups that meet as well as fortnightly Countywide MS Teams meeting. Very often becoming a Recovery Partner can lead to informal peer support as people become acquainted with one another. To find out more please contact Paul Milverton on 07979 701247
If yourself, somebody you know or somebody you work with wants to go that extra step and make the most of their lived experience to help shape the future of services in Somerset, contact coproduction@openmentalhealth.org.uk to find out more and start that conversation.