EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE
At the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College we believe that we are all stronger by working TOGETHER.
Are you passionate about helping people with their Mental Health? Find out more about our Experts by Experience at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College.
EXPERIENCE
Our volunteers have lived experience of using Mental Health services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
JOURNEY
Our volunteers are people who have found their voice through their own journey of Mental Health recovery.
SUPPORT
Our volunteers have decided to give something back by supporting those who have not yet found their voice.
GET
INVOLVED
Are you passionate about helping people with their Mental Health? Experts By Experience can get involved by:
Joining Our Virtual Reference Group
Joining Our Experts By Experience Group
Feeding Into The College Development
Attending Meetings
Helping To Develop Training Sessions
Supporting Others
Training As A Peer Tutor
Interviewing Learners
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? CONTACT ONE OF OUR EXPERT BY EXPERIENCE LEADS
WILL I HAVE TO FILL IN ANY FORMS TO JOIN IN?
Yes.
You may be asked to complete a short volunteer form before joining the EBE Group. We will ask you a bit about yourself and the sort of activities you would like to be involved in. We may also have to do a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check with you in line with our volunteer policy.
WILL THERE BE ANY TRAINING?
Yes.
Training will be provided for certain roles if you choose to do them, (for example, Peer Tutor and Evaluation Training). We will support any reasonable adjustments needed to help ensure that opportunities are open to as wide a group as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BECOME UNWELL, OR DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE?
Please do not worry as we fully understand that this may happen. You can opt out at any point or take a break.
DO I GET ANY EXPENSES?
Yes.
This will be in line with our volunteer expenses policy. We ask you to provide receipts for any fares and parking.
CAN I SPEAK TO SOMEONE BEFORE I GET INVOLVED?
Yes.
We can put you in touch with one of our Experts by Experience Leads, Karen Bent. Her contact details are provided on this page.
WHO ARE OUR EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE?
Our Experts by Experience are people who have personal, lived experience of using Health, Mental Health and/or Socia Care services, or of caring for someone who uses those services.
Someone who has been there, walked in shoes similar to yours, understands how you’re feeling and the challenges you may be facing. They have their own relatable story and therefore offer respect, compassion with no judgment.
We believe that we are all stronger by working together in a way which values life experience equally with that of people who are experts because of their profession.
Experts by Profession, for example, Mental Health or another Healthcare Professional.