Great Yarmouth man uses lived experience to shape mental health services
Shaun’s journey inspires calls for community involvement in service development
A man from Great Yarmouth is using his personal mental health journey to advocate for the inclusion of people with lived experiences in shaping mental health services.
Shaun has faced various personal challenges, including physical health issues, caring responsibilities, and bereavement, alongside his own mental health struggles.
Inspired by the support he received, he became actively involved with the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Service User and Carer Council.
The council offers a platform for individuals who have used mental health services, or who have cared for someone who has, to share their feedback and contribute ideas for improvement.
Shaun highlights the significant impact that those with lived experiences can have on service development, saying, "Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference to someone's confidence and wellbeing."
Shaun is passionate about further integrating lived experiences into mental health services, aspiring to become a peer support worker to use his insights to make a difference.
He said, "My goal is to improve somebody's life with my experiences and what I’ve gone through."
His advocacy underscores the importance of involving communities from the outset to create mental health services that are effective, compassionate, and responsive.
Shaun's commitment to volunteerism and peer support highlights the transformative potential of individuals with first-hand experience.
He hopes to see more people with lived experience welcomed into the NHS to help others: "I'd really like to see more opportunities for people with lived experience to have their voices heard, stronger partnerships between communities and services, and co-production becoming a normal part of service development."
Cath Byford, Chief Patient Experience Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Shaun's story demonstrates the powerful contribution that people with lived experience can make in shaping services. Their insight helps us better understand what matters most to the communities we serve and ensures we continue to develop services that are compassionate, effective and responsive to people's needs.