Thomas is currently a Fulfilling Lives client in Newcastle Gateshead. He was introduced to the Experts By Experience Network by his Service Navigator and has been a member of the Network for a couple of months. Already, Thomas has more confidence to speak out and let people see that ‘we all have a right to have the best future we possibly can’.
“My name is Thomas, and I’ve been a member of the Experts by Experience Network for a few months, after being referred by my Navigator.
I have only been involved with the Experts By Experience Network for a short time but already my confidence has increased massively; the buzz I get from actually having a voice that is listened to and not just heard is better than anything I have ever experienced in my life.
I wanted to get involved and give something back to my peers: the knowledge that I would be helping others was a massive motivation, and David (the EBE Engagement and Co-Production Worker) felt that I would benefit from the Network and having a platform to share my story.
In the past few months I have been involved with the co-production of Respond training, which is a multi-agency training programme for emergency response services on how to support people with complex needs in high-pressure situations.
When I first attended the Respond training, I felt like a fish out of water. There were lots of people attending the training who I deemed to be of a higher class than myself – police officers, doctors, and ambulance crew – and I didn’t feel that I belonged as I was just a lad in early recovery who wasn’t worthy of being there.
Because of this initial feeling, I almost left the training before it had even started. David from Fulfilling Lives talked to me, and calmed me down. He told me that I had a right to be there and that the only way things can change is if myself and my peers share our experiences and make people think about things differently.
As the day progressed I became more and more confident and really enjoyed sharing my opinions. I realised that my background is an asset and I deserve to be involved in these type of events. It is humbling to see that people actually have faith in and believe in me – something which I haven’t always experienced.
I am motivated to continue working with the Network and to impact change in the system both locally and nationally, something I never thought I would have the chance to do before.”
If you would like to get involved with our Experts network, or have a client who you think could benefit from the programme, get in touch with us: info@fulfillinglives-ng.org.uk
