The Housing Justice Lived Experience Group is  a group of people who have been supported by Housing Justice who meet on a regular basis to share feedback and use their experiences to provide advice to Housing Justice staff on how to develop projects and improve the way Housing Justice helps people who are homeless in London, particularly those who are not from the UK.

The group was launched in Autumn 2024 and meets on a regular basis at the Housing Justice office in Vauxhall.

Work influenced by our members

Host & Guest Reflections

Blog post co-written by host and guest

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Housing Justice Zine

Created by our Lived Experience Group

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What's the benefit of having a lived experience group?

  • Give advice and challenge: They can review the charity’s plans, services, campaigns and policies and say what would or wouldn’t work from a service user’s perspective.
  • Improve services: Members can identify gaps, barriers or problems in existing services and suggest practical improvements.
  • Shape priorities: They can help the charity understand what matters most to the people it supports and influence where resources should be directed.
  • Test ideas: Before launching a new service, leaflet, website, campaign or project, the group can provide feedback and help make it accessible and relevant.
  • Represent wider experiences: Members can bring themes and experiences from their communities—not necessarily speak on behalf of every person with that experience.
  • Support advocacy: They can help the charity communicate the realities of an issue to decision-makers, funders, commissioners or the public.
  • Increase accountability: The group can act as a critical friend, asking whether the charity is actually doing what it says it will do for the people it serves.
  • Bring credibility and authenticity: Involving people with lived experience demonstrates that the charity values people’s knowledge and isn’t simply speaking about them.
  • Develop members’ skills: A good group can also provide opportunities for members to develop confidence, leadership, public-speaking, research or campaigning skills

 

Further Questions

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