Introduction:
In our previous post, we explored how incorporating individuals with lived experience into health and social care training in the UK can transforms learning outcomes. Authentic stories and perspectives have proven invaluable, enriching the educational journey for student & qualified health and social professionals. Expanding on this, we will now focus on the role of self-advocacy in maximising the benefits of lived experience to communities. By empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and others, we unlock valuable insights and drive impactful change in healthcare and social services.
Embracing Personal Narratives:
At the core of self-advocacy is the power of personal stories. By sharing these experiences, individuals with lived experience reclaim their voices and assert their influence in shaping discussions about their health and well-being. Encouraging self-advocacy in training not only validates these narratives but also fosters a culture of listening and respect. Witnessing the impact of self-advocacy first hand helps trainees understand the value of amplifying diverse voices in their practice. For this to happen self-advocacy needs to be part of any co-produced resources, this is why Shout Out Academy state ‘Designed, Developed, and Delivered’, as without this we cannot really say training is co-produced.
Building Confidence and Resilience:
Self-advocacy is a journey of empowerment and self-discovery. Through reflection and expression, individuals gain the confidence to voice their needs, preferences, and rights. This confidence is crucial in navigating complex systems, advocating for appropriate care, and challenging inequalities in health and social care. Developing self-advocacy skills among individuals with lived experience empowers them to excel personally and serve as mentors for others on similar paths, or to become trainers at the Shout Out Academy.
Driving Systemic Change:
While self-advocacy begins at an individual level, its impact ripple outward, sparking broader change. Advocating against injustice and barriers, self-advocates become agents for systemic transformation. In health and social care, self-advocacy challenges norms, advocates for policy reforms, and champions inclusive practices. By prioritising self-advocacy skills in training, experts with lived experience become leaders in driving this transformation toward equitable and responsive care systems. Shout Out Academy feel that by delivering learning disability and autism training it’s trainers can have a big impact on inclusive practice.
Cultivating Empathy and Cultural Competence:
Self-advocacy centres on asserting identity, needs, and rights in the face of societal challenges. By embracing diverse perspectives respecting individual experiences, self-advocacy enhances empathy, understanding, and cultural competence in health and social care. When experts with lived experience advocate for themselves, they challenge stereotypes, confront biases, and promote inclusive care practices. Integrating self-advocacy training into curricula and mandatory training equips future professionals to deliver person-centred care that embraces diversity.
Conclusion:
Dudley Voices For Choice and Shout Out Academy have a commitment to integrating lived experience into health and social care training in the UK, let’s acknowledge the vital role of self-advocacy in amplifying these voices. Empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and others unleashes the full potential of lived experience as a driver for change, innovation, and equity in healthcare systems. Together, let’s work towards a future where every voice is valued, heard, and empowered to shape the course of care.
Sean Ledington
Shout Out Academy – Project Manager
Leave a Reply