Lived Experience Collaboration Platform

By lived experience we mean knowledge and insight gained from first-hand experience of mental health challenges. People self-identify with this experience – no diagnosis or prior contact with mental health services is required.

In collaboration, people with lived experience join research teams as colleagues and partners. We distinguish between participation – taking part in a study as a research subject, and involvement or collaboration – working with a research team to advise, design, guide, or carry out the work. Involvement helps keep research relevant and ensures findings can be applied in real-world settings.

Carers, parents, and family members also bring important perspectives. While the focus is on lived experience of mental health challenges, carer voices will be included where relevant, for example, in safeguarding and youth settings.

The platform will be co-developed with a Working Group to ensure it is clear, useful, and easy to use. It will:

• Show real examples of collaboration, including what was tried, what changed and what was learned.
• Provide practical tools such as templates, checklists, meeting guides and role descriptions that are ready to adapt.
• Offer guided pathways based on who you are and where you are in a project.
• Make finding things easy with clear search and filters.
• Use interactive elements where useful, such as quick decision guides or step-by-step prompts.

The aim is simple: arrive with a question, leave with something you can use.

First focus areas

This first two modules, co-developed with the Working Group, will cover:

1. Child and youth mental health collaboration (ages 10–24).
2. Safeguarding in lived experience collaboration, particularly when working with people with learning and communication differences (including, but not limited to young people).

Each module will include examples, tools, and guidance specific to its setting.

Who it’s for

• People with lived experience who want to share their expertise
• Researchers, clinicians and practitioners who want to collaborate well
• Coordinators and managers who support research teams
• Funders and policy leads who set expectations and standards

Different users will find tailored routes into the same trusted content.

We’re inviting around 25 members to help shape the platform and the first two modules.

We welcome people with diverse perspectives and experience of lived experience collaborations, such as:

• People with lived experience of mental health challenges from different backgrounds and regions, including people often excluded from research
• Mental health researchers at all career stages
• Lived experience research coordinators
• Carers, parents, or family members.

🌍We are especially keen to bring together people of different ages (with a focus on 16–25), career stages, and countries – including those in low- and middle-income countries.

What Working Group members will do

• Share perspectives and expertise on what good collaboration looks like
• Explore challenges and opportunities in lived experience collaboration
• Identify the most useful support and resources
• Co-develop platform ideas and module content by reviewing early ideas and sharing feedback
• Work with others in open, collaborative conversations to build a shared vision.

Optional opportunities to contribute include sharing examples or stories of collaboration, testing early versions of the platform, or joining smaller topic groups.

Time and recognition

• Expected time: 15–25 hours between October 2025 and December 2026, mostly through online group conversations and feedback activities
• Payment: up to £300 for core contributions, with additional payment for optional activities (such as joining smaller topic groups)
• Other recognition: acknowledgements, certificates, mentorship, connections, and other forms agreed with the group.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people with lived experience (including young people aged 16–25), researchers, coordinators, carers, and family members.

👉Expression of Interest (EOI) for People with Lived Experience or Carers: https://forms.office.com/r/jBSy7dDJKA 

For those contributing mainly through their first-hand experience of mental health challenges (self-identified, no diagnosis required) or as carers, parents, or family members. You may also bring research or coordination experience – the form reflects the role you see as primary here.

👉Expression of Interest (EOI) for Researchers or Coordinators: https://forms.office.com/r/PVNDtjQnaN

For those contributing mainly as researchers or lived experience research coordinators. This includes anyone leading or supporting mental health studies, regardless of career stage or organisational affiliation. You may also have lived experience – the form reflects the perspective you will contribute from most directly in this group.

Deadline: 16:00 UK time, 20 October 2025

If you’d like to apply in another format, for example by voice note or another accessible option, or have questions, please contact Ana Florescu, Project Lead, at [email protected]

We’ll support you to apply in the way that works best for you.