An appetite for change? – Patient experiences of nutrition and hydration

11 March 2024

Ann Nutt was a former member of the Shaping Our Lives National User Group, and Graham Price is a current director. Ann is chair of the Patient Panel at her local Hospital and Graham is a member of the nutrition and hydration group at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital Trust. Staying hydrated and eating well… Continue reading An appetite for change? – Patient experiences of nutrition and hydration

Organising inclusive and accessible events: our top tips

18 February 2024

In November 2022, we hosted Thinking Outside the (Tick) Box, a hybrid service user-led conference to share learning from marginalised communities about how to make involvement inclusive and effective. In this blog, we reflect on some of the key lessons we learnt from organising a conference like this for the first time, as well as… Continue reading Organising inclusive and accessible events: our top tips

What is co-production?

7 January 2024

Co-production is a type of involvement in a whole spectrum of involvement methods and approaches. Whilst it has recently become a bit of a buzzword in health and social care, the idea of co-production has been around since the 1960s and has its roots in the Disabled people’s rights movement. While there are many definitions… Continue reading What is co-production?

Seven essentials for effective involvement

23 November 2023

Shaping Our Lives is a non-profit, user-led organisation. We’ve been working for over twenty years on inclusive and effective involvement, enabling people from diverse and seldom heard groups to have their say in the services that affect their lives. We’ve done a lot of research into what makes involvement inclusive and how to remove the… Continue reading Seven essentials for effective involvement

Effective service user involvement – how to build trust

20 November 2023

When it comes to effective and inclusive involvement, trust is crucial to enable people with lived experience to feel comfortable to share their stories. This is especially vital for those who have experienced discrimination, trauma, or denial of services, and for those from communities that have a low level of engagement with services. How do… Continue reading Effective service user involvement – how to build trust

Developing an Inclusive Approach to Research at Liverpool Hope University

Shaping Our Lives were recently pleased to facilitate a workshop at Liverpool Hope University involving the Service User Group at Hope (SUGaH+) alongside academic staff from the Social Work team and wider School of Social Sciences. The aim of the workshop was to talk about what would make a great research team, gathering ideas from… Continue reading Developing an Inclusive Approach to Research at Liverpool Hope University

What’s in it for me? – involvement benefits

14 October 2023

When yet another survey request pings into your inbox, do you immediately press delete? Do you pass by that poster in your GP surgery, asking for participants for their patient forum? Ever considered responding to a consultation, only to think twice? What’s the point, right? They’ll just take your time, your opinions, and carry on… Continue reading What’s in it for me? – involvement benefits

Overcoming the barriers to involvement

13 October 2023

If you’re in charge of public involvement, co production, or service user participation, hopefully you’ll be keen to make sure you talk to a wide range of people, including those who are from diverse communities. Involving people from seldom heard and marginalised groups has never been easy, and whether you want to consult, involve, engage… Continue reading Overcoming the barriers to involvement

Setting up service user involvement groups for social work and social care education

20 September 2023

Shaping Our Lives have supported several universities to develop their service user involvement in social work education and across health and social science courses. The work usually comprises a number of meetings and facilitated workshops with the academic staff and service users. Sometimes Shaping Our Lives recruits a group of people to take part. On… Continue reading Setting up service user involvement groups for social work and social care education

Social care workshop with the University of Hertfordshire

13 September 2023

Shaping Our Lives are working with the University of Hertfordshire on a project about social care research. We are facilitating a social care advisory group, which includes people who: The group will share their experiences of research and/or using social care services to support researchers involved in the SCRiPT study (Social Care Research in Practice… Continue reading Social care workshop with the University of Hertfordshire

Timing is everything

29 August 2023

Short deadlines, tight turnarounds, late-stage applications, and last-minute plans – we advise against them. Not because of pressure – because of accessibility. Did you know timing can be a key accessibility issue? Here we explore the different ways timing is vital for inclusive involvement. In this blog: Involvement recruitment deadlines and participant preparation time You’re… Continue reading Timing is everything

Tips for the future

2 August 2023

This is the seventh in a series of blogs by Peter Beresford about a research project which Shaping Our Lives has carried out jointly with King’s College London. You can also read a report we have written about the project, Match Making In Research.  In the Shaping Our lives report on the research project, we offer… Continue reading Tips for the future

A different kind of research

5 July 2023

This is the fourth in a series of blogs by Peter Beresford about a research project which Shaping Our Lives has carried out jointly with King’s College London. You can also read a report we have written about the project, Match Making In Research.  While it might not be an obvious priority for groups facing oppression,… Continue reading A different kind of research

Starting with history

27 June 2023

This is the third in a series of blogs by Peter Beresford about a research project which Shaping Our Lives has carried out jointly with King’s College London. You can also read a report we have written about the project, Match Making In Research.  Hello again, We’d started to talk about research and next I want… Continue reading Starting with history

A chance to develop a research partnership

20 June 2023

This is the second in a series of blogs by Peter Beresford about a research project which Shaping Our Lives has carried out jointly with King’s College London. You can also read a report we have written about the project, Match Making In Research.  Something special This is a story about a research collaboration; a collaboration… Continue reading A chance to develop a research partnership

Meet the team – Becki

23 May 2023

This week we’re chatting with Becki Meakin, the Shaping Our Lives Involvement Manager. Becki has worked for Shaping Our Lives for over a decade, and brings her lived experience as a blind woman into her role. Tell us a bit about yourself I was born in a tiny hamlet called Ellenhall in Staffordshire. I lived… Continue reading Meet the team – Becki

Accessibility – more than just step-free

18 May 2023

You may find these other blogs helpful too: When the topic of accessibility is raised, many people automatically think of ramps, lifts, and grab rails. While those physical adaptations are important, making activities inclusive requires more than step-free access.   If you want to make your activities truly accessible, then you need to be aware… Continue reading Accessibility – more than just step-free

Blog 16 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

18 April 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 sixteen is by Ulla-Karin Schön is Professor in social work at Stockholm University in Sweden. In this last blog within the framework of putting together the BJSW… Continue reading Blog 16 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

No longer ashamed

16 April 2023

This is a guest blog written for Shaping Our Lives by Lynda Hills, a PDH student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Trigger warning: This post contains mention of attempted suicide. “In 2009, after years of struggle, I overdosed and jumped off a bridge. Fortunately, I didn’t die, but I was left crippled and… Continue reading No longer ashamed

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

User-led groups in our network

8 March 2023

Did you know that Shaping Our Lives is a user-led organisation? That means we are run by and for the people we support. In our work on the Future of user-led organisations, with the National Survivor User Network (NSUN), we defined user-led groups in terms of value, power, and knowledge: We have a network of… Continue reading User-led groups in our network

“I’m proud of myself for even applying”

2 March 2023

Shaping Our Lives recently worked on a project where Disabled people led the research and coproduced the resources. Their feedback, shared here anonymously, demonstrates the powerful benefits that inclusive involvement can have. As well as this project leading to excellent resources for Disabled people, these lay researchers in turn found emotional and psychological benefits for… Continue reading “I’m proud of myself for even applying”

Blog 14 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

1 March 2023

01 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 fourteen is by Frank Golding. The lived experience of trauma such as child sexual abuse is sometimes described as historical. In contemplating how… Continue reading Blog 14 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 13 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

21 February 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. Blog thirteen is by Omar Mohamed, Children and Families Social Worker, Lecturer and Researcher Adaptations towards a global perspective As mentioned in the previous blog by Peter, ¼ of… Continue reading Blog 13 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Another brick in the wall

7 February 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. Blog thirteen is by Peter Beresford, Visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia and Co-Chair of Shaping Our Lives. In the words and music of the wonderful Pointer… Continue reading Another brick in the wall

Blog 12 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

24 January 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. Blog twelve is by Peter Unwin, Principal Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Worcester. Recent weeks have been a time of much excitement and hard work for… Continue reading Blog 12 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 11 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

6 December 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog eleven is by Dr Frank Golding OAM, an Honorary Research Fellow at Federation University Australia. Care records often help Care leavers understand their childhood. Some find information about… Continue reading Blog 11 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 8 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

11 October 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog eight is by Peter Beresford, Visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia and Co-Chair of Shaping Our Lives A Defining Moment One of the lessons I’ve… Continue reading Blog 8 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 7 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

4 October 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog seven is by Peter Unwin, Principal Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Worcester I am a fan of co-production and believe that an authentic approach… Continue reading Blog 7 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 6 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

7 September 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog six is by Ulla-Karin Schön, Professor in Social Work at Stockholm University, Sweden Being one of the guest editors of the special issue of the British Journal… Continue reading Blog 6 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Why health inequalities need to be addressed for the specific community

29 July 2022

This guest post was kindly contributed by Sukhjeen Kaur (She/Her), Founder/Director of Chronically Brown Within healthcare, we have all been impacted by the ‘one size fits all’ approach implemented by the National Health Services. We understand and are aware that individuals are individual which need to be treated as such. More recently, ‘health inequalities’ have become… Continue reading Why health inequalities need to be addressed for the specific community

Blog 5 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

28 July 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog five is by Frank Golding I grew up in out-of-home care in Australia, silent and silenced. I left the system carrying powerful memories and emotional baggage: resentment… Continue reading Blog 5 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 4 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

13 July 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog four is by Lia Levin Whenever I tell people (be they service-users, academics, professionals, or even people from outside the social work discipline) about the special issue… Continue reading Blog 4 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue series

Blog 3 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

29 June 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog three is by Omar Mohamed. Throughout being a Guest Editor for the academic papers category, I find myself in a position of shaping identity through both a… Continue reading Blog 3 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

Blog 2 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

21 June 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog two is by Mel Hughes. We find ourselves in the privileged position this week of having received 140 submissions for the special issue of the British Journal… Continue reading Blog 2 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

Blog 1 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

7 June 2022

This is part of a series of blogs kindly contributed by the editorial group working on the lived experience edition of the British Journal of Social Work. Blog one is by Peter Beresford The special issue of the British Journal of Social Work: Voice and Influence of people with lived experience represents another significant marker… Continue reading Blog 1 – British Journal of Social Work lived experience issue

Featured author – Hannah Pearl

14 March 2022

I was diagnosed with ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2017. Whilst some people have heard of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, like many sufferers, I prefer the term ME because fatigue is only one of the symptoms that I can experience, although for me it is one of the most difficult to manage. The fatigue can be… Continue reading Featured author – Hannah Pearl

Spotlight on: The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC)

20 February 2022

Shaping Our Lives focuses on inclusive involvement, especially when it comes to services, like health and social care, and research studies. But what about consumer products, the things we buy in shops, the technology we use, the cars we drive, and the holidays we take? RiDC ensures that disabled and older consumers are heard by… Continue reading Spotlight on: The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC)

Coming out is not the be all and end all of the queer experience

5 February 2022

Deenah al-Aqsa is on the board of Trustees for Hidayah LGBT, a user-led group in our directory, and is an award-nominated British Bengali journalist. Deenah recently wrote an illuminating article for The Metro about her experiences of being a Muslim lesbian. Her article shed light on the milestone of coming out as being Western social… Continue reading Coming out is not the be all and end all of the queer experience

Promoting potential through Bollywood and Ballroom

16 January 2022

By Dr. Rashmi Becker, MBE. Founder, Step Change Studios I have always loved dance. There’s something empowering about expressing yourself through movement and music. Growing up with an older brother with severe Autism, I developed an understanding of a non-verbal world in which communication and self-expression can be presented without words. As an adult, as… Continue reading Promoting potential through Bollywood and Ballroom