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Learn about using lived experience to improve services, commission work, or partner with Expert Citizens.

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INSIGHT Evaluation

The INSIGHT evaluation programme was first conceived in 2015.  Designed and developed by a small team of volunteers, now known as Expert Citizens, with support from the VOICES project. We wanted to make sure that good practice is recognised, celebrated and shared. The Expert Citizens INSIGHT Standards are designed to do this. INSIGHT a project is uniquely led by people with lived experience of homelessness, mental ill-health, addiction, domestic abuse, poverty or histories of offending behaviour.

INSIGHT | Research

At Expert Citizens our research is Collaborative, asset focused and most importantly lived experience-led.

If you would like to get in touch with us to discuss project ideas or proposals email our research lead Sophia via: sophia.insight@expertcitizens.org.uk

Expert Citizens has worked with a range of partners including:

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire University, Keele University, University of Liverpool, Lancaster University, University of Sheffield, Newcastle University, Kings College London, St Mungos, Healthwatch, Power With

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    Sergeant David Fenton, Staffordshire police

    “The communication was 100%. It was a positive experience for me and the other people who took part. The report was comprehensive and fair and overall a good assessment”

    Gill Butler of Restart, Saltbox

    “I thought they were very professional and open in their approach”

    Jude Haws, CAB

    “Overall I think it went extremely well. They explained it clearly. Both times I met with them they were cooperative and helpful. They were knowledgeable, knew what I was talking about – we understood each other”

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Your most common questions, answered simply

      Who are Expert Citizens?

      Expert Citizens CIC is a Stoke-on-Trent based Community Interest Company (CIC) led by and for people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages, such as homelessness, mental ill-health, addiction, domestic abuse, poverty, and criminal justice.

      We are peer advocates and consultants who utilise our personal experiences and those of our members, to shape, improve, and challenge public services.

      Key aspects of what they do include:

      • Service Evaluation (INSIGHT Standards): We train individuals with lived experience to evaluate public and charitable services, ensuring they meet the ‘INSIGHT Quality Standards’ for empathy, dignity, and effectiveness.
      • Systems Change: We advise commissioners, researchers, and decision-makers to help redesign systems so they work better for the people they serve, rather than operating in ways that isolate or stigmatize vulnerable individuals.
      • Expert Citizens community members: We run, fun, community activities including, coffee mornings, trips, micro-volunteering and provide free training and personal development to help people build confidence and transition into volunteering or employment.
      • Training: The INSIGHT Academy offers an extensive network of trainers and experts who share co-delivered perspectives to help other organizations build better future support systems.
      What is the INSIGHT Academy, and who can participate?

      The INSIGHT Academy is, delivered by Expert Citizens CIC and is part of the Changing Futures Stoke-on-Trent Programme, which sits within Adult Social Care services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s.

       

      The training is fully funded for anyone living and/or working in the Stoke-on-Trent area and available at a nominal charge for anyone from outside of Stoke-on-Trent. All our training is co-designed and co-delivered through lived experience. We also offer people with lived experience the chance to become trainers themselves with our train the trainer programme.

       If you are a Tutor, Trainer or Facilitator wishing to work with us please click here – https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_nlDi9OpCECfVcsMFkI3jopfxtW88IdDnm7zHjL4v-tUMTB…

      How does Expert Citizens use lived experience to create change?

      We are peer advocates and consultants who utilise our personal experiences and the voices of our members, to shape, improve, and challenge public services. We advise commissioners, researchers, and decision-makers to help redesign systems, so they work better for the people they serve, rather than operating in ways that isolate or stigmatize vulnerable individuals. We undertake co-produced, commissioned and externally funded projects, research, and evaluations.

      We train individuals with lived experience to evaluate public and charitable services, ensuring they meet the ‘INSIGHT Quality Standards’ framework.

      The INSIGHT Academy offers an extensive network of trainers and experts who share co-delivered perspectives to help other organizations build better future support systems.

      How do I get involved?

      If you represent a potential partner organisation and are interested in any of our commissioned services, please email: info@expertcitizens.org.uk for more information.