Lived Experience Network Scotland (LENS)

RLP was established so that people with lived experience of psychological trauma are valued and thriving, at the heart of public policy, decision making and service design. The impact of psychological trauma is not only felt by the people who have experienced it, but anyone in our society, including those who plan and deliver services. 

Alongside the Scottish Government, COSLA, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Improvement Service, we are partners of the National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP). This is a whole system approach towards trauma-informed culture, attitudes, policies and practice which requires long-term, transformational change. Our unique contribution is to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience of trauma are heard and put at the heart of policy and service design and delivery.

We have done this through working with a small group of people with lived experience who have contributed to the design and creation of NTTP materials and resources, ensuring that the voice of lived experience is at the centre. In order to develop our approach and extend our reach to more diverse people and communities, the LENS was formed.

The LENS is unique in that it is open to anyone who identifies with our vision and brings their own personal or professional experience to establish lasting long-term change. We believe that we need to move away from a ‘them and us’ mentality and overcome the barriers that separate people with shared experience. We value the diverse range of experience, whether lived, professional or personal.