Lived Experience Advisors

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Lived Experience Advisors (LEA) are people who live, work, study, or play in RCT and support different projects within the HDRC. They share their personal opinions and experiences, offering unique lived experience knowledge and expertise that helps direct the work of the HDRC.

This could include:

• Taking part in a workshop or focus group for a project
• Engaging in conversations with HDRC team members
• Providing lived experience knowledge to projects, either directly (attending project meetings) or indirectly (providing information to be presented on your behalf).
• Advising the HDRC team on audiences to engage with
• And more!

Some lived experience advisors may get involved in multiple projects, others may just do one, but any amount of involvement is a great contribution to the work of the HDRC.

If you are interested in getting involved as a LEA, our opportunities will be shared here. They will provide information on time commitments, project focus and lived experience requirements, and the support available to you. You are also welcome to come along to our Lived Experience Network Meetings.

Your time, knowledge, and skills are important to us, so we are offering compensation for your time and commitment when involved in project work with the HDRC. While we’re unable to provide a cash payment, we can offer vouchers which will cover your time and expenses for participating in projects.

We can offer Amazon or Love2shop (external link) vouchers, or you can opt to receive Tempo Time Credits (external link) which can be redeemed at a range of places across Wales and England. You will receive Tempo Time Credits for attending Lived Experience Network Meetings too!

Please note that accepting vouchers may impact your benefits. If you would like to receive independent, confidential advice around this, please contact publicpartnerships@nihr.ac.uk (external link) who will be able to refer you to the Benefits Advice Service.

Should you have any questions about payment, or would like to receive further information, please feel free to contact us.