Voice and lived experience

There are lots of different definitions of lived experience, but Baljeet Sandhu in 2017 defines it as:

‘The experience(s) of people on whom a social issue, or combination of issues, has had a direct impact’.

So anyone who has directly experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health issues or misused drugs and alcohol, has a lived experience of these issues. As such, the wisdom and insight that they bring to the world, and to those that work with them, is unique and valuable.

Listening to, hearing and acting on the experiences of people with lived experience is a bit like when successful businesses learn what makes their customers happy (and how they can do more of that) and what doesn’t (and they want less of). However, it is not quite as easy as that. Whilst customers have a choice of the businesses they use most of the time, most people accessing safeguarding services have much less of a choice. And this is why it’s so important for professionals to understand and embrace lived experience.

Therefore, the Board would like to hear from you if you are already collecting the voice of people and communities through existing and day to day activities. This may include feedback on services, surveys, case studies or feedback on people’s experiences of safeguarding.  

If you have any examples of voice/lived experience of those you work with please send it directly to bfsb@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or complete this form.

Real Safeguarding Stories

The following audio-visual resources raise awareness of abuse and neglect of adults with care and support needs and others tackled particular issues such as mate crime or hoarding. People with lived experience and their family carers were asked to review the resources, and their comments are provided. 

Making Safeguarding Personal - audio visual resources | Local Government Association

A free online video resource for professionals with safeguarding responsibilities. Real Safeguarding Stories has been developed by a partnership of Bradford Council and Collingwood Learning.

Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board Real Safeguarding Stories video resource