The aim is to help improve health and care services across Sussex. Sussex Health and Care believe the best way to improve services is to involve people with lived experience of mental and physical health conditions.
As a new group, the Lived Experience Network will co-design ways for people to be involved in shaping health and care services in Sussex - from GP services to care in hospitals and communities – to help people have their voice heard and to change services for the better.
Sussex Health and Care, a collaboration of health care organisations across Sussex, is working with Traverse and Reble on this project. Traverse is an independent organisation that helps support health and care organisations involve people and communities in decision-making and Reble, Research Enabled by Lived Experience, is a panel of people with lived experience of health conditions.
To apply and be considered to join the network, you don’t need any specific education or training. You must, however, live in Sussex, have a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or impairment and wish to improve health and care services in Sussex.
Here are some examples of physical and mental health conditions that would qualify you to join:
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Sensory impairments
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Depression
- Learning disability.
Sussex Health and Care are also keen for people from black and minority ethnic communities and people with LGBTQ+ identities to apply.
You will be expected to attend six total meetings, with one meeting every month, and you will need to attend these meetings via Zoom on either a computer or phone. They will be held in September, October, November, December, January 2023 and February 2023. Some reading and thinking over things before meetings are expected.
The role is paid £33 an hour. All time spent working on the Lived Experience Network, whether that’s attending a meeting or reading before a meeting, is paid. Extra help is also available to those chosen for the role, such as expenses for childcare, internet data if needed and training.
In addition to learning new skills, at the end of the project, you will be asked whether you want to become a Lived Experience Advisor, where you can continue to have an input about services in Sussex.
After applying, you will be sent a few questions about yourself which will help Sussex Health and Care get to know you a bit and help them make their decision. You can answer the questions in writings, via video call, audio recording, over the phone or in another way which suits you.
If you meet the desired criteria and are interested, text or call 020 7239 7804 and tell them your name and phone number and you will be contacted within two working days of your application. Or you can apply via email, by emailing SussexLEN@traverse.ltd.
The closing date of recruitment is August 21 so, if you are interested, make sure you apply by then.