Photograph: L-R Riley Marks, Racheal Howison, and Daljit Marway
Riley and Racheal recently started job placements within the Mental Health, Learning Disability, and Autism Collaborative at ELFT, working with Daljit. They were invited to be guest lecturers on a Nursing Associate training programme. Their talk was a great opportunity for them to gain confidence, share their stories, answer questions, and show the importance of care shaped by lived experience.
This was the first time that I had spoken as a guest lecturer, and I felt that it was important to share the positives and negatives in the care that I had received and the effect it had on my health. The students were shocked when I spoke about the specific failures in my care, and I am hopeful that it will help positively shape their own journeys in the future.
I was asked questions about how and why I got into involvement and what difference I believe I can make through my current role and any future endeavours. I spoke about my long-term goals, how I want to help improve the services that failed me, and how my amazing support worker helps me advocate for myself and my needs. I explained that the positives in my care have just as much sway in why I am involved as the negatives do, and having this job placement is helping me improve my knowledge and confidence.
Although daunting at first, sharing my story left me feeling empowered and proud of the journey that I have been on. Racheal’s and Daljit’s stories were so powerful and inspiring to listen to, they both did amazingly. It reminded me of just how important it is to have people with lived experience working within the Trust, sharing their journeys, and helping to shape services for the better.
Riley Marks- Lived Experience Communications Officer