Lived Experience (LE) offers perspectives that shape more effective interventions, revealing what truly works in practice rather than theory alone.
Proven Impact in Public Health
GambleAware and UK public health initiatives demonstrate that LE involvement significantly improves support services and enhances policy relevance.
Revealing Hidden Harms
LE voices help uncover systemic gaps and hidden harms that traditional research methods often overlook or fail to capture.
Policy as a Foundation for LE Platforms
01
Inclusive Participation Policies
Enable diverse LE participation free from stigma and industry influence, as demonstrated by UK city-region examples prioritising authentic voices.
02
Fair Remuneration Frameworks
Transparent remuneration and reimbursement policies, such as GambleAware's approach, build trust and ensure long-term sustainability.
03
Emotional Safety and Development
Policy frameworks must actively support emotional safety and skill development for LE contributors navigating complex, challenging environments.
Creating Safe, Heard, and Valued Spaces
Safe Spaces
Confidential, stigma-free, peer-supported environments foster openness and trust. GamCare's monthly online community exemplifies this approach, providing a secure foundation for sharing.
Valued Voices
LE members serve as genuine experts, actively shaping services, campaigns, and policy consultations. Their contributions drive meaningful change and innovation.
Emotional Support
Recognising the significant toll of sharing lived trauma is essential. Platforms must provide dedicated resources to help contributors manage emotional impacts effectively.
Sustaining Engagement Over Time
Flexible Involvement Options
No rigid time commitments encourages ongoing participation, allowing contributors to engage at their own pace and capacity without pressure.
Balanced Collective Identity
Ensuring representation across diverse experiences without silencing minority voices creates authentic, inclusive communities that reflect reality.
Personal Growth Opportunities
Opportunities for personal development and leadership within networks, such as GLEN's peer-led initiatives, foster long-term commitment and empowerment.
Barriers to Effective LE Involvement
Emotional Burden
Risk of retraumatisation remains significant without adequate psychological support and safeguarding measures in place.
Industry Influence
Commercial conflicts and industry interference can fundamentally undermine trust, authenticity, and the independence of LE voices.
Access and Stigma
Limited access routes and persistent stigma prevent many vital voices from joining platforms or being genuinely heard.
Translation to Action
Significant challenges exist in translating LE insights into concrete policy changes and meaningful systemic transformation.
Powerful Examples from Gambling Harm Initiatives
UK Gambling Commission
The LE Advisory Panel shapes research priorities and safeguards participant wellbeing, embedding lived experience in regulatory oversight.
Victorian Foundation
The Responsible Gambling Foundation's co-authored reports centre LE perspectives in help-seeking research, driving evidence-based practice.
GamCare Community
The Lived Experience Community directly influences service design and shapes public awareness campaigns, ensuring authentic messaging.
Beyond Gambling: LE Platforms in Other Sectors
Mental Health Services
Long-established LE involvement models offer valuable lessons in co-production and participant-led service design.
Crime and Justice
Integrating LE perspectives improves support services and enhances policy responsiveness to real-world needs.
Cross-Sector Learning
Collaboration across sectors enhances LE impact and broadens understanding of complex, interconnected harms.
Key Ingredients for Success
Clear Policy Frameworks
Supportive policies that prioritise LE autonomy, protect diversity, and ensure genuine independence from commercial interests.
Safe, Inclusive Spaces
Environments providing both emotional and practical support, fostering trust and enabling authentic participation.
Genuine Power-Sharing
True co-production in decision-making processes, where LE voices have real influence and meaningful authority.
Transparent Recognition
Clear communication and visible acknowledgement of LE contributions, valuing expertise and time appropriately.
Building the Future of LE Platforms
LE platforms transform policy and practice by centring real voices and experiences. Investing in emotional support, diversity, and sustainable engagement is essential for creating safer, more effective systems that truly listen, learn, and act.
Our Commitment: Let's embed lived experience at the heart of all harm reduction efforts, ensuring those with lived experience lead the way towards meaningful, lasting change.