The Lived Experience Network
Healthwatch Cumberland and Cumberland Council created a Lived Experience network in 2024.
The aim of this network is to help develop and shape local services by using the voice and experiences of local citizens. Incorporating lived experience into the way we design services can lead to improved outcomes, early interventions and prevention as well as better informed decision makers.
What is lived experience?
Lived experience means your personal experiences and stories. We want to find out more about local people's personal experiences of accessing health and social care services, to find out what changes they would like to see to improve the care they receive.
Our events:
On 20th September 2024, we hosted The Power of Lived Experience, a lived experience network event at the Civic Centre in Carlisle. We invited organisations together to explore what is working well, what could be better and how lived experience can influence us all when it comes to service improvement.
We hosted a second event, Next steps: The Power of Lived Experience, on Friday 7th March, 10am-2pm at the Copeland Centre in Whitehaven. This event featured the chance to hear about our work so far, our plans for the future and the opportunity to help create a co-production charter.
How can you get involved?
If you would like to get involved in the Lived Experience Network get in touch to find out when our next event is, to tell us your thoughts, or to join our online steering group who meet to discuss plans for the network.
You can contact the Healthwatch Cumberland team by email: