Lived Experience Network
Who we are
The Lived Experience Network (LENs) is a collaborative, lived experience-led organization made up of staff and individuals with lived experience from across health and social care, who are committed to enhancing co-production and avenues of independent feedback and observations.
We aim to provide another independent lens within services and to give people with lived experience a voice at every level of organizations.
Our philosophy on co-production is that it should be involving of everybody as equal partners, including junior staff, stakeholders and where appropriate, the local community.
Our Service User and Family Carer involvement structures have been recognized as being Unique and Innovative; by NHS England and An area of outstanding practice & by the Care Quality Commission.
Our vision
Our vision is to support the growth of co-production within health and social care, to ensure people with lived experience are treated as equal partners and have a say at every level of the organisations we work alongside. Our values are underpinned by a strong commitment to both our staff, stakeholders and the people we support.
Our values
Our values form our ‘LENS promise’ that we will always: Listen to everyone and be impartial at all times.
Empathise with people through shared lived experience.
Notify our clients feedback/themes in a clear, concise and professional manner.
Support people, organisational change and quality improvement
Our leadership team
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Peter Jones
Peter is an Expert by Experience with a long history of advocating for lived experience within health and social care. He is co-founder of Islington Borough User Group (iBUG), one of Londons longest running peer support groups within the NHS. He is also one of the first cohort of Experts by Experience with the Care Quality Commission.
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Zachary Adebanjo
Zach is a family carer Expert by Experience with a track record of supporting mental health initiatives within the financial sector including staff well-being and mental health awareness campaigns. He has been a key advocate for issues surrounding disparities around young black males within mental health services and has supported a number of charities as a voluntary strategic and financial advisor.
Geoff Brennan
Geoff is a nurse by background with a focus on mental health and learning disabilities. He is a pioneer within the sector supporting the growth of initiatives such as SafeWards. A key advocate for co-production and lived experience, Geoff supports academia and clinical practice in understanding how these key agendas can support positive culture change.
