Guides
Lived experience guides
Clear explanations and practical guidance on Expert by Experience roles, co-production, advisory boards, service review and lived experience involvement in health and social care.
They are written for people planning involvement in NHS, independent and social care services, and for anyone thinking about becoming an Expert by Experience. Each guide is free to read and draws on how LENs works with organisations across the UK.
All guides
Start hereWhat is an Expert by Experience in health and social care?An Expert by Experience uses knowledge gained as a patient, through accessing services or as a carer to contribute to health and social care work.By Lived Experience Network · Published 4 August 2026
- GuideWhat does good lived experience involvement look like?Good lived experience involvement has a clear purpose, starts early, supports people to contribute and gives organisations a route to use what they hear.Published 4 August 2026
- GuideCo-production, consultation and engagement: what is the difference?Understand the difference between consultation, engagement, co-design and co-production, and choose the form of lived experience involvement that fits the work.Published 4 August 2026
- GuideHow to establish a lived experience advisory boardA practical guide to defining the purpose, membership, meetings, governance and follow-up needed for a useful lived experience advisory board.Published 4 August 2026
- GuideHow Experts by Experience contribute to service review and improvementLearn how Experts by Experience can add patient and/or carer insight to service visits, feedback, review activity and practical improvement work.Published 4 August 2026
- GuideHow to support and supervise Experts by Experience ethicallyPractical guidance on role design, preparation, boundaries, supervision and wellbeing when Experts by Experience work with health and social care organisations.Published 4 August 2026
- Need help with your own project?Talk to LENs about lived experience involvementYou do not need a finished brief. We reply within 2 working days.Talk to us