My name is D, and being part of LEARN (almost a year now) has meant far more to me than simply joining a group—it has been an important part of my recovery and my journey back to believing in myself again. When I was introduced to LEARN and the opportunity to become involved in RECOGNeyes and CrossSense, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a welcoming community of people where lived experience is not only accepted but genuinely valued, and where I felt that my voice mattered again. I have been able to draw on both my professional experience in children's services and community social care, and my personal experiences of living with ADHD, dyslexia, complex mental health challenges, age-related health issues, and being the parent of a child with complex health and mental health needs. Rather than seeing these experiences as problems and challenge, being part of the LEARN community has helped me recognise them as strengths that can help shape better services for others.
My name is D, and being part of LEARN (almost a year now) has meant far more to me than simply joining a group—it has been an important part of my recovery and my journey back to believing in myself again.
When I was introduced to LEARN and the opportunity to become involved in RECOGNeyes and CrossSense, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a welcoming community of people where lived experience is not only accepted but genuinely valued, and where I felt that my voice mattered again.
I have been able to draw on both my professional experience in children's services and community social care, and my personal experiences of living with ADHD, dyslexia, complex mental health challenges, age-related health issues, and being the parent of a child with complex health and mental health needs. Rather than seeing these experiences as problems and challenge, being part of the LEARN community has helped me recognise them as strengths that can help shape better services for others.
Working as part of the LEARN community makes me feel seen and heard, that my struggles over the years have a purpose now and that hopefully my experience, in some small way, can go on to help others in the future. The LEARN team make me feel like a valued member of the projects and research I have been involved in, that I am making a real contribution. They support my needs and allow me to be my authentic self without needing to mask or feel overly anxious about being involved. I can stim, pace, take breaks and speak up without fear of criticism, they provide me
Working as part of the LEARN community makes me feel seen and heard, that my struggles over the years have a purpose now and that hopefully my experience, in some small way, can go on to help others in the future.
The LEARN team make me feel like a valued member of the projects and research I have been involved in, that I am making a real contribution. They support my needs and allow me to be my authentic self without needing to mask or feel overly anxious about being involved. I can stim, pace, take breaks and speak up without fear of criticism, they provide me
Being a member of LEARN has opened the door to many opportunities to contribute my lived experience to exciting, new mental health research. My contributions are valued and I see them make a real difference to the research. This gives me a renewed sense of puprose. Taking part in Patient and Public Involvement is definitely increasing my recovery too beyond all other interventions. I am supported and have made new, lasting friendships.
Collaborating with lived experience experts through LEARN has been instrumental in shaping our research from study design all the way through to dissemination. Working with people with lived experience of ADHD has ensured our research has greater relevance, impact, and meaning, and has helped us better understand how to engage effectively with lived experience communities.
Working with the LEARN team and LEAP co-production members on the ASTRA project has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the work. Their involvement has helped transform ASTRA from an idea into a tangible prototype plan, with members playing a key role in shaping our wireframes and influencing the direction of the project at every stage. The value of this collaboration cannot be overstated. My own knowledge and skills in co-production and PPIE have grown considerably through working alongside LEARN members. The open and transparent sharing of lived experience has strengthened the project in so many ways. We have developed a strong relationship as a team, that is not only based on trust, but also equality and mutual respect. LEARN members have brought perspectives, insights and expertise to ASTRA that we simply could not have achieved without them. Coproducing ASTRA together means it is reflective of the needs of the people it is ultimately designed to help.
Working with the LEARN team and LEAP co-production members on the ASTRA project has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the work. Their involvement has helped transform ASTRA from an idea into a tangible prototype plan, with members playing a key role in shaping our wireframes and influencing the direction of the project at every stage.
The value of this collaboration cannot be overstated. My own knowledge and skills in co-production and PPIE have grown considerably through working alongside LEARN members. The open and transparent sharing of lived experience has strengthened the project in so many ways. We have developed a strong relationship as a team, that is not only based on trust, but also equality and mutual respect. LEARN members have brought perspectives, insights and expertise to ASTRA that we simply could not have achieved without them. Coproducing ASTRA together means it is reflective of the needs of the people it is ultimately designed to help.