Department Seminar Series | Effective and Meaningful Lived Experience Involvement - What Can We Learn From Peer Support Worker Roles Within a Forensic Service?

Involving those with lived experience has become an increasing focus in both clinical and research settings, recognising the unique form of knowledge developed through living with a difficulty and how this can benefit wider knowledge production and provision of care. This presentation will briefly outline the current evidence base relating to patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and how its underpinnings align with peer support worker (PSW) roles within mental health services. We will highlight how a forensic service, characterised by restriction and hierarchical structures, effectively implemented PSWs, through presenting the key findings of a reflexive thematic analysis study. Key themes include, promoting human connection, utilising collaborative working and how embracing curiosity can lead to gradual systemic change. Considering ways of maintaining the uniqueness of lived experience role, whilst attending to dynamics of power and relational partnerships will be discussed.

This seminar is hosted in person in the Seminar Room.