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Blog 15 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

30 March 2023

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience issue of the British Journal of Social Work (BJSW).

Blog fifteen is by Mel Hughes, Associate Professor in social work at Bournemouth University, Academic lead for the PIER (Public Involvement in Education and Research) Partnership and Deputy Director of the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices.

Are we nearly there yet?

As we approach the publication and launch of the special issue of the BJSW on the Voice and Influence of people with lived experience, I have found myself reflecting back on the journey. I am in awe at just how far we have come, and I am excited about sharing the content of the issue next month.

The question: are we there yet? reminds me of many a childhood journey, with me, as the youngest, in the back seat of the car, crammed between the elbows of my older sisters for hours on end. Are we there yet, on loop, not far now, being the response, regardless of how many hours there were to go! From this I learnt to appreciate the journey as well as the destination; to appreciate the experience and the sights along the way. In relation to the special issue, we are nearly there; just one final push to get us to publication day.

We have learnt a huge amount on this journey. Change started to happen as soon as we started the conversation about having a special issue which was written by rather than about people with lived experience. Everyone involved has had to create new processes and rules to make this happen. The destination though was always about more than a special issue. We are hopeful that this is just a milestone along the way. We wanted to pave the way with a journal as prestigious as BJSW, showing it values lived experience expertise as much as academic and practice wisdom. The bigger goal is to create more space for lived experience expertise. The real destination is inclusive involvement; respect for lived experience expertise and space where everyone is able to contribute and be heard. Are we there yet? No, but we are making good progress.

Mel Hughes is Associate Professor in social work at Bournemouth University, Academic lead for the PIER (Public Involvement in Education and Research) Partnership and Deputy Director of the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices.