We’re working hard to make our Trust kinder, clearer and more person‑centred and we can only do that by listening to the people who’ve used our services and those that support them. Your lived experience, ideas and insights can help us understand what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.
That’s why we’ve created a range of lived‑experience groups across the Trust. Each group focuses on a different part of what we do from recruitment and communication, to digital tools and policy. You can join the group that interests you most, or get involved in more than one. Every group is friendly, supportive and open to patients, carers, families, staff with lived experience, and community partners.
Below are the lived‑experience forums we have available right now. This list isn’t fixed, we always have other co‑production and engagement activities taking place across our services and improvement work. There are lots of ways to get involved, and your voice is welcome wherever you feel it fits best.
Clear, kind, and accessible communication makes a huge difference to people’s experiences and we need your lived experience to help us get it right. If you’ve ever read something confusing, overwhelming, jargon‑filled, or just plain unhelpful, you already know how important this work is.
Our Inclusive Communication Group brings together people with lived experience to help us improve the way we write, speak and share information across the Trust. You don’t need to be a writer or a communications expert you just need an eye for what works, what doesn’t, and what would make things easier for others.
For more information please email: hiowh.
Not everyone finds digital services easy or intuitive and that’s exactly why this group exists. The Digital Inclusion Group helps us understand what gets in the way of people accessing digital tools, online appointments, apps, and information. We want to make sure no one is left out or left behind. Whether you love tech, tolerate it, or occasionally shout at it, your lived experience is valuable. Your voice helps us design digital solutions that feel more welcoming and less like secret puzzles.
If you’ve ever read a letter and thought, “I need a translator for this,” you are our kind of person. The Information Group reviews leaflets, digital content, letters, and any communication we send out. Your job is to help make sure our information is clear, accessible, and genuinely helpful, not confusing, overwhelming, or full of jargon. We especially focus on making things work for people with neurodivergent needs, different learning styles, and those who simply prefer things explained in plain, human language.
Policies affect everything we do, but only if they actually make sense to the humans who follow them. The Policy Review Group looks at policies from a lived‑experience angle, helping us challenge confusing language, spot gaps, and make sure what we say aligns with what people need. You don’t need to be a policy expert; you just need the willingness to say, “Hold on, would anyone understand this?” Your insight will help us create clearer, kinder, more accessible ways of working.
The Working in Partnership Committee was established in 2018 and the group consists of service users, carers, organisations involved in health and social care alongside local Healthwatch and Trust staff. The group is our strategic co-production group supporting our co-production agenda and acts as a critical friend providing support and advice to staff on engagement and co-production activities, providing valuable insight and the voice of lived experience.
If you are interested in joining, please email hiowh.workinginpartnership@nhs.net
Removing Barriers to Involvement
We are committed to making our involvement spaces accessible and supportive for everyone. Whatever your communication needs, neurodivergence, disability, or preferred way of taking part, we will do all we can to make sure you can be included comfortably and meaningfully.