Experts by experience
Experts by experience
At Buckinghamshire New University we champion the integration of Experts by Experience into our professional education programmes. We firmly believe that their unique perspectives and insights are indispensable for delivering exceptional care and support to individuals and communities. By involving Experts by Experience, we ensure that our graduates are equipped to provide services that are not only high in quality but also finely attuned to the needs of those they serve.
The inclusion of Experts by Experience is not merely a practice we endorse; it is a requirement set forth by esteemed professional, statutory, and regulatory organisations. For example, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, and Social Work England all mandate this involvement. They acknowledge the profound impact that Experts by Experience have on professional education, guaranteeing that the services rendered are considerate and responsive to the users’ needs.
Inviting Experts by Experience into teaching sessions is such a rewarding learning experience, especially within health care professions like Sports Therapy and I only wish this way of on-site experiential learning was offered when I studied many years ago.Neal Reynolds Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy
So, who are Experts by Experience?
Experts by Experience are people with lived experience and/or carers of individuals who have first-hand experience of physical and/or mental health, social or cognitive challenges or needs (e.g., patient, student) and/or the use of services in the public or industry sector (e.g., prisoner, passenger). These terms are used to differentiate from others who may have experience of working professionally with individuals with challenges or needs but have not personally lived through them.
Why We Use Experts by Experience in Professional Education
We know involving Experts by Experience in the co-production and co-delivery of professional education is essential to ensuring our learners receive the highest quality education. Experts by Experience bring a unique perspective to higher education activities ensuring they are informed by real-world experience. It is important because:
- We can provide our learners with a more comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the people they will be serving.
- We can ensure our learners are prepared to provide culturally sensitive, person-centred care and services.
- It helps us to prepare our learners for the real-world scenarios they will encounter in their professional lives, to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
- It allows us to stay informed about the latest developments and trends, and to ensure that the programmes we deliver are current and relevant.
What do our Experts by Experience do?
We have a variety of in-person and online activities to involve Experts by Experience. For example:
- Supporting the development of new, and the reviewing and updating of existing, professional programmes.
- Delivering guest lectures.
- Speaking to our students during seminars and workshops, sharing their lived experiences.
- Participating in simulated learning such as role-playing a service user or carer.
- Contributing to learner assessments, such as providing feedback on presentations.
- Recruiting and selecting learners for professional programmes.
- Collaborating on research projects.
- Providing patient, service user, and carer insight to support various panels and working groups.
Who are our Experts by Experience?
At BNU we believe in the power of authenticity and diversity. That's why we've brought together a varied group of Experts by Experience and are always on the lookout for more!
Check these Experts by Experience out!
Who are our Expert Leads?
Each College or Professional Discipline has an Expert by Experience Lead. This person champions the use of Experts by Experience in their area and supports them in their role.
- Christina Ebanks is the Expert by Experience Lead for all Nursing and Midwifery Programmes in the College of Health and Society.
- Daisy D’Silva Toscano is the Expert by Experience Lead for all Social Work Programmes in the College of Health and Society.
- Anne Followell is the Expert by Experience Lead for all Health Programmes in the College of Health and Society.
- Neal Reynolds is the Expert by Experience Lead for all applicable Sports and Exercise, Psychology, Social Science, Criminology, and Education Programmes in the College of Health and Society.
- Amsale Wamburu is the Expert by Experience Lead for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.
If you identify as an Expert by Experience and are interested in becoming involved at BNU, don't hesitate to get in touch with us for more information – we’d love to hear from you. Please complete this short survey and we will be in touch!
The role can be either volunteering or paid, depending on your preference. Further details are in the handbook on page 12.
Yes, as a volunteer you can choose to claim reimbursement for reasonable expenses if you so wish. Further details are in the handbook on page 13.
Payment arrangements are made through a contractual agreement, detailing the terms of payment, including the hourly rates or fixed fees for specific tasks. Further details are in the handbook on page 14.
No formal qualifications are required. The most important aspect is your personal experience and willingness to share it to help improve professional education.
Yes, your Expert by Experience Lead will ensure you are provided the necessary training to ensure you are well-prepared to undertake your responsibilities effectively. This may consist of e-learning or in-person or maybe a combination depending on what works best for you. Further details are in the handbook on page 18.
On rare occasions depending on the nature of your involvement, you may need to undergo a DBS check. If this is needed, we will inform you and a member of the People team will contact you.
The time commitment can vary, but it is flexible and can be discussed to fit around your availability.
You will receive ongoing support from your Expert by Experience Lead, as well as the staff you work closely with. In addition, as a new Expert by Experience, you’ll get an Expert by Experience buddy to help you out. Further details are in the handbook on page 19.
Yes, if privacy is a concern, arrangements can be made for you to share your experiences without revealing your identity.
We look forward to hearing from you and potentially welcoming you to our team of Experts by Experience!
Experts by Experience in Action
At our university, we are proud to involve Experts by Experience in a wide range of university activities. These individuals bring valuable insights and perspectives to our professional education programmes and wider across the University, and we are honoured to have them as a part of our community.
Want to know more?
If you are interested in finding out more, please access the Experts by Experience Handbook.
Our University policy can be accessed here: Experts by Experience Policy.