Get Involved
Lived Experience Panel
Find out more about our Lived Experience panel, Voices for Brighter Futures…
About the Panel
Voices for Brighter Futures was established in 2023 as a dedicated panel of nine individuals with lived experience of mental health. The group meets monthly to share insights, challenge assumptions, and shape the way we deliver support across our communities.
Each session focuses on a wide range of important topics, including:
-
Shaping and reviewing policies
-
Advising on our recruitment processes
-
Contributing to our strategic planning
-
Offering insight for events and campaigns
-
Helping to develop and improve our services
Through open conversation and collaboration, the panel plays a vital role in helping Mid and North East Essex Mind ensure that lived experience is at the heart of everything we do. Their perspectives influence the development of our services, making sure they are more inclusive, responsive, and truly reflective of the people we support.
Working collaboratively, Voices for Brighter Futures supports Mid and North East Essex Mind to embed Lived Experience into all of our services.
Watch our short video to find out more about Voices for Brighter Futures
What is Lived Experience?
Lived Experience is the knowledge and understanding you get when you have personally lived through something.
For Mid and North East Essex Mind, a person with Lived Experience is someone with personal experience of mental health problems. Or, people that have experienced marginalisation which may affect their mental health.
This may include Lived Experience of poverty, racial trauma, or other forms of prejudice or discrimination.
Mid and North East Essex Mind wants to work with a diverse range of people with Lived Experience to fight for better mental health for all.
Why is Lived Experience important?
To meet people’s needs, we must work with them to make sure their opinions and ideas are valued. It is essential not to make assumptions or take choices and control away from people.
By bringing together those of us with personal experience of mental health challenges, we’re making sure these voices are included in every stage of the decision-making process. It’s about working as a team to break down barriers and improve the support we provide.
Collaboration like this helps us shape services that truly reflect the needs of the community. Together, we want everyone to know how to take care of their mental health and get the support they need.
Latest news from Voices for Brighter Futures!
Here you can find news and updates from our Lived Experience panel.
Award winners!
We’re thrilled to share that we won a highly commended award for our work in Influence and Participation by Mind at the Mind Quality Mark Awards!
Every year, Mind recognise expertise, courage, vision, creativity and commitment. This year, our Lived Experience Panel, Voices for Brighter Futures, was commended for these things!
Could you share your voice?
We are looking for people to join a lived experience panel that have experiences of living with a mental health condition in Mid or North East Essex.
If you are passionate about making a difference locally and would like to share your personal experiences, we’d love to hear from you!
Lee’s Story
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we wanted to share Lee’s story.
Lee is our Mental Health Ambassador and member of our Lived Experience Panel, Voices for Brighter Futures.
Warning: This article contains discussions on suicide.
Other ways to get involved
Essex has a population of over 600,000 people and we want to make sure we’re here to offer expert services and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
Find out more today about how you can get involved with Mid and North East Essex Mind!
We’ve got you
If you are starting to move more, we know you got this.
But if you’re not feeling your best, we’ve got you.
We understand that living with a mental health problem can make exercising even harder. We offer hope and support for good mental health, so that no one feels alone.
As your local mental health charity, our mission is to listen to our communities and offer compassionate and inclusive services, resources and practical support.
YOU gOT tHIS! *
