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Experts by Experience

Information about the Experts by Experience programme in North Lincolnshire. How you can get involved and help shape service developments.

Have your say and make a difference

The Experts by Experience voice group is a way for people to get involved, have their say and make a difference.

Our volunteers are people who have had experience of health and social care, either for a loved one or themselves. They have hands on knowledge of using services and a passion for improvement.  For many, using services is still part of their lives, but they have learned enough along the journey to be able to know what good support and a good experience looks like.

The Experts by Experience programme is focused around;

  • co-production of service design,
  • delivery and improvement,
  • documentation
  • mystery shopping

Quality Ambassadors meet monthly to receive and share information, ‘lite bite’ training sessions and discuss and plan new projects.  They also invite partners to attend their meetings to talk about issues that matter to them and to help to shape and influence developments in North Lincolnshire. If you think you might be interested in joining us please get in touch.

The Experts by Experience Team are passionate and committed to improving the lives of people in North Lincolnshire.

We support the Experts by Experience Team to liaise with people in the community who currently use registered and commissioned services across North Lincolnshire.  Quality Ambassadors feed information back so we can assess the quality of our services.

A ‘Nothing About You Without You’ video has been developed through the Experts by Experience group and provides an overview of the importance of people having their say and how they can get involved.

Take a look at the video:

Further information

Experts by Experience decide where to focus and what they would like the council to do. They also have requests by partners across North Lincolnshire to offer insight into service improvements. Tasks :

  • seeing and hearing how service users experience services
  • collecting the views of residents, staff, relatives and friends
  • observing the nature and quality of services
  • taking part in quality reviews of Adult Social Care Services in North Lincolnshire
  • taking part in consultations
  • mystery shopping
  • helping to develop new ways of working
  • improving information
  • writing for newsletters or websites
  • interviewing for all levels of staff, and lots more

We will make sure you have the information and support you need, and we will agree to refund you for out of pocket expenses you incur working with us.

People involved in the Experts by Experience programme have had positive experiences of being involved. One Expert said:

  • “I have got so much out of being an Expert by Experience. I have built new friendships, received support and kindness and been able to influence services to ensure people remain at the centre.”

How can I get involved?

If you are interested in becoming an Expert by Experience programme and you are:

  • someone who lives in the area
  • an older person
  • a carer
  • someone with disabilities
  • someone with additional health or support needs
  • someone with a learning disability and/or
  • someone with something to say and someone who wants to make a difference…

then please get in touch with us or complete the  expression of interest form [PDF, 38Kb].

If you are interested in becoming a Quality Ambassador in the Experts by Experience programme and you are:

  • someone who lives in the area
  • an older person
  • a carer
  • someone with disabilities
  • someone with additional health or support needs
  • someone with a learning disability and/or
  • someone with something to say and someone who wants to make a difference…

then please get in touch with us or complete the expression of interest form [PDF, 38Kb].

Our Vision

To contribute to the improvement of peoples lives in North Lincolnshire.

Purpose

The Expert by Experience Group brings together unpaid volunteers who have had experience of using or caring for someone who use Services to Adults. Experts by Experience members, work with North Lincolnshire Council and its partners on requests to improve the lives of people who may be vulnerable in some way.

Aims of the Expert by Experience Group

To pledge to:

  • Speak up to improve the way that services are organised and delivered
  • Influence and inform colleagues
  • Listen to and understand the views and experiences of citizens and where appropriate act as a conduit for information available to the general public
  • Act as a good role model by treating other people with respect.

Quality Ambassadors will do this by taking part in processes used to monitor the quality of services provided to the general public by North Lincolnshire Council and others. The Group will work with services to develop and improve information and quality by challenging discriminatory attitudes, behaviours and assumptions appropriately.

Membership

The Group will consist of adults who have had experience of adult social care in North Lincolnshire or in caring for someone. There is no limit to the number of Members, but the number must be manageable.

Recruitment will be targeted to ensure the membership of the group is representative, as far as possible.

Roles and responsibilities

Members will:

  • Adhere to this Terms of Reference
  • Make it a priority to attend a majority of the monthly meetings where possible
  • Be honest and act in good faith towards each other and any partners involved.

Frequency of meetings

Members will be encouraged to meet regularly on a monthly basis. Attendance at meetings is not obligatory. Members will be asked to offer as much or as little time to the program as they can. There will be additional meetings and short pieces of work for Members to get involved in if they choose.

Meetings and support arrangements

  • Monthly update meetings will be flexible, and will be held on a date and at a venue convenient to Members.
  • The Experts by Experience team will facilitate the group’s activities, keeping a record of all meetings and work. The format and content of the monthly update meeting will be developed by the group. Any member may request that an item be added to the agenda by informing the Group Co-ordinator no later than 10 days before the meeting.
  • Minutes will be produced within 10 working days of the meeting. If you would like a copy of the minutes please contact us.
  • When items are raised by Members, after an initial discussion about the issue, the group will decide if the item is to be taken away by a relevant professional for investigation (and if necessary, escalation within the appropriate forum). A response will be reported at the next meeting
  • Professionals will advise the group of relevant training, standards and regulations
  • The group co-ordinator will support members and act as a conduit to the council and wider partners where appropriate.
  • Governance arrangements for the Expert by Experience Group will be through the Experts Together Partnership.

Funding and resources

Reasonable travel expenses will be payable to carer members using their own cars/public transport to attend meetings and other activities. Claims should be made in a timely manner at the end of each month by completing a claim form available from the Group Co-ordinator.

Receipts/tickets for out of pocket items (for example car parking) must be attached. All claims must be countersigned by a staff member with appropriate authority (team manager or above) from the Experts by Experience team.

Reimbursement will be paid in line with North Lincolnshire Council Policy and Procedure Review*.

The terms of reference and membership will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Parent and child looking at wild flowers

What is Live Well North Lincolnshire?

Live Well North Lincolnshire is an online information hub that provides information on a range of organisations, support groups, community groups, events, and activities that are available across the county.

With hundreds of services listed, Live Well is a wealth of information at your fingertips.