Our Lived Experience Action Group


The LEAG is a core part of the VAMHN's governance and research leadership. Members bring lived experience of violence, abuse, and mental health difficulties, alongside substantial expertise in consultancy, training, research, and systems change.

The LEAG shapes the VAMHN's strategic direction, conducts survivor-led research, and ensures that survivor-defined priorities are embedded across grants, publications, and sector engagement. The group is currently leading two VAMHN research projects, reflecting our commitment to structurally embedded survivor leadership. 

What the LEAG does

LEAG members:
  • Contribute to the development of grant applications and research strategy.
  • Co-design research studies and advise on ethical and trauma-informed practice.
  • Lead and co-lead research projects.
  • Develop public-facing outputs, including blogs, podcasts, and commentaries.
  • Disseminate findings at conferences and events.
  • Strengthen accountability to survivor-defined wellbeing and recovery.

Membership

Members have different preferences regarding how they are named publicly, and we respect those choices. Collectively, the LEAG brings expertise across violence against women and girls, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ advocacy, multiple disadvantage, trauma recovery, crisis response, communications, community leadership and systems reform. In addition to the members listed below, one member contributes anonymously.

Lisa Ward (she/her)

LEAG Coordinator

Lived experience consultant and researcher specialising in violence and abuse. Former CEO of Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre. Undertaking a PhD on child-perpetrated child sexual abuse.

Winnie

Member since 2020

Advocate for neurodiverse individuals and people of Asian heritage. Contributes across lived experience groups and is committed to improving mental health provision for survivors of violence and abuse.

L.T. (she/they)

Autism advocate

Neurodivergent advocate from marginalised communities (including LGBTQ+, disabled and ethnic minority groups). Brings extensive community experience and advises on participatory mental health research.

Naima Khan

Lived experience researcher

Professional lived experience researcher with experience across AVA, McPin and AGENDA. Research focuses on multiple disadvantage, trauma and peer support.

Emily R

Writer and campaigner

Works across lived experience design, communications and suicide prevention. Trustee of the National Survivor User Network, bringing expertise in user-led mental health advocacy.

Justin Coleman

Systems change advocate

Advocates for reform across violence, abuse and mental health systems, informed by lived experience across community, criminal justice and health settings, including a focus on boys and male victims.

AM Stillman

Researcher and writer

Lived experience researcher, writer, photographer and curator with longstanding experience at the intersection of trauma and recovery. Currently engaged in crisis management and writing on recovery after disaster.

Helen

Researcher and advocate

Academic researcher focused on improving mental health services and support for survivors of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, with expertise in coercive control and complex trauma.