Making our voices heard

We are a group of local people working together to improve services in Cambridge.

For over 7 years, we have brought together two types of experts:

1. Experience Experts: People who have lived through challenges like homelessness, addiction, or mental health issues.

2. Practitioners: Professionals from local services who want to listen and make real changes.

We believe that by amplifying the voice of “lived experience,” we can fix the systems that are supposed to help us.

Most of our members are from Cambridge City, but we also have attendees from South Cambs and Huntingdonshire.

What We Work On

Our group looks at “multiple disadvantage”—this includes issues like disability, abuse, contact with the police, and homelessness.

Currently, a lot of our work focuses on homelessness and rough sleeping in Cambridge. Recent projects we have worked on include:

• A&E Experiences: Working with the NHS to improve how A&E treats people, including the use of Health Navigators.

• Housing: giving input on Short Stay Emergency Accommodation.

• Employment: identifying barriers relating to employment and employment services.

When We Meet

We hold an open meeting every month. You don’t have to come every time—some people join regularly, while others just drop in occasionally.

• When: The first Wednesday of every month.

• Time: 1pm – 3pm.

• Where: St Paul’s Church, Hills Road, Cambridge.

We also often have additional activities which you can join. Both monthly meetings and additional activities can be found in our Events calendar.

You can also find information about opportunities to participate in co-production activities run by us and other people in our News section.

Why Get Involved?

Joining the group is a great way to use your experience to help others.

You can take part as much or as little as you like, you can join our mailing list to keep informed or just turn up and take part.

• Build Confidence: Develop your skills and capacity.

• Prepare for Work: We encourage you to record this in your journal for your Jobcentre work coach.

• Make Change: Have your voice heard and help to improve local services.

To find out more or ask to be on the mailing list, please contact:
Marie at Marie.Ludlam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or
Nick at Nicholas.Sheppard@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Who Supports Us?

The group is self-governing by those who attend coordinated by Changing Futures Cambridgeshire & Peterborough a programme run by local authorities to improve outcomes for people facing multiple disadvantage.

This website is published and maintained by Experience Cambridge CIC on behalf of the Cambridge Co-Production Group.