New Framework Launched to Support Meaningful Engagement with Women’s Lived Experience

The Framework for Engaging with Lived Experience has been developed by women with lived experience of maternal mental health challenges, alongside staff from WRDA’s  Maternal Advocacy and Support (Mas) Project and supported by a clinical psychologist. The new resource sets out practical standards and principles for organisations seeking to engage women in sharing their personal experiences to help shape services, influence policy and drive positive change.

At the heart of the framework is a simple but powerful message: lived experience is expertise. Women who have navigated maternal mental health challenges bring valuable knowledge, insight and wisdom that can help improve support services for others. However, organisations have a responsibility to ensure that engagement is carried out in a safe, respectful and trauma-informed way.

Women involved in the project spoke about both the benefits and challenges of sharing their stories. Many described the experience as empowering, helping them find their voice, build confidence and create change for future mothers. At the same time, they highlighted the emotional labour, vulnerability and courage involved in recounting deeply personal experiences.

The framework therefore sets out a range of recommendations for organisations, including:

• Being clear about the purpose of requesting lived experience contributions.

• Providing adequate preparation, emotional support and follow-up.

• Offering childcare, travel expenses and accessible meeting arrangements.

• Ensuring participation is never tokenistic and that feedback is provided on outcomes and impact.

• Respecting participants’ control over their own stories and recognising their right to decline questions or withdraw at any time.

• Creating inclusive spaces that acknowledge and address inequalities and discrimination.

The document also highlights the importance of genuine co-production, where people with lived experience are recognised as partners in developing and improving services, rather than simply being invited to share their stories without meaningful action being taken.

By bringing together practical guidance, reflections from women with lived experience and principles of trauma-informed practice, the framework offers a valuable resource for organisations committed to listening, learning and acting on the experiences of those they serve.

WRDA extends its thanks to all the women who contributed their experiences, insight and expertise to this work. Their generosity and commitment have helped create a framework that will support more respectful, inclusive and impactful engagement with lived experience across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Read the full Framework for Engaging with Lived Experience report here.