Culture

Priority 1
Ensure people who use our services and carers have an active role in decision-making and governance

Staff tell us that involving people who use our services in the design, governance and delivery of services brings a fresh perspective, energy and passion into activities and projects.

The knowledge, skills and experience that people with lived experience bring enhances and complements the clinical and professional expertise of our staff enabling us to deliver significant improvements. People who use our services value using their own experience in the design, governance and delivery of services; in addition, people develop transferable skills that can be used to access education, employment and volunteering opportunities. 

However, involvement activities can be frustrating for those involved especially if it is not clear what is expected, how their lived experience will be used, or the impact of their participation will have.

We are committed to strengthening the role of lived experience and carer voice throughout our organisation. 

To achieve this, we will:

Embed lived experience and carer perspectives into governance structures

All governance bodies will be encouraged to identify where experts by experience can make meaningful contributions to their work and how they will do that.

Ensure the Trust Board meets its legal duty for involvement

We will uphold the statutory guidance Working in Partnership with People and Communities by ensuring that involvement is an integral part of how we plan, deliver and review services.

Secure senior-level sponsorship for the Together Strategy

A designated sponsor at Trust Board level will actively support and promote the implementation of the revised Together Strategy across the organisation.

Provide assurance of inclusive and impactful involvement

Boards and committees will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate involvement has taken place and that these contributions have influenced decisions