Last week, our APSU Manager Emer Diviney presented with Tharindu Jayadeva and Anita Conlon, facilitated by Mary O’Hagan, at TheMHS Learning Network Inc. Conference about the importance of meaningful lived experience participation.
Together, they led a discussion with members of the audience about what our role is, as individuals and as a collective, in making sure people impacted by systems and services are genuine partners in shaping them. Together with people in the audience, they explored how we can better ensure services reflect people’s real-life experiences and embed what matters to them.
Meaningful lived experience participation involves creating spaces where people feel safe to speak honestly, where their experience is valued, and where they can have a real say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Rather than talking ‘at’ attendees, Tharindu, Emer and Anita engaged with the expertise in the room through a facilitated discussion – taking a step towards practising what they preach!