What is the Lived Experience Action Group (LEAG)?
The LEAG is a group of individuals who have all experience some form of violence or abuse and mental health difficulties. Together they bring with them a wealth of experience in consultancy, training, and research. The LEAG help inform the wider VAMHN, ensuring that grants included the voices of those with lived experience, offering commentaries to journal articles, and they are also planning to produce a series of blogs and podcasts on the themes of violence, abuse and mental health.
The LEAG is a group of individuals who have all experience some form of violence or abuse and mental health difficulties. Together they bring with them a wealth of experience in consultancy, training, and research. The LEAG help inform the wider VAMHN, ensuring that grants included the voices of those with lived experience, offering commentaries to journal articles, and they are also planning to produce a series of blogs and podcasts on the themes of violence, abuse and mental health.
Who is in the LEAG?
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Lisa Ward (she/her) Lisa joined the VAMHN as our Lived Experience Involvement Consultant in 2020. Lisa is a lived experience consultant and researcher focusing on lived experience of violence and abuse, having previously working in the Violence Against Women & Girls Sector for more than a decade. Lisa is also undertaking a PhD on child perpetrated child sexual abuse. She takes the lead on coordinating the network's Lived Experience Action Group. |
Winnie
Winnie has been a member of the LEAG since its inception in 2020. Winnie is an advocate for those who are neurodiverse, as well as those who have Asian heritage. Outside of the LEAG Winnie sits on other lived experience groups, and is passionate about improving mental health provision for those who have experienced violence and/or abuse.
L.T. (she/they)
L.T. is neurodivergent and an autism advocate. They are from a marginalised background (e.g. LGBTQ+, disabled, ethnic minority) and are passionate about social justice. They have volunteered for different charities and local community groups for about two decades. They hope that their lived experience of complex trauma can help shape research and services for those who have also been affected by abuse and violence. They currently advise on mental health research and public involvement on a number of projects, from a similar perspective. They love cats, ice cream (even in winter!), and making art.
Naima Khan
Naima Khan is a professional lived experience researcher having worked for a number of organisations including AVA, McPin and AGENDA. Her research specialisms include multiple disadvantage, trauma, and peer support. She is also a qualified gardener and experienced crafter, using these skills to support her community.
Emily R
Emily R is a writer and campaigner based in London. After a career in freelance journalism, she now works part-time as Campaigns and Communications Manager for the user-led mental health charity Wish, as Project Office for the Haringey Suicide Prevention Group, as a Lived Experience Designer at Mind, and as a Trustee for the National Survivor User Network.
Justin Coleman
Justin is currently the Co-Founder & COO of the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, supporting organisations across its and Levelling the Playing Field networks. A Trustee for Kendleshire Kids Foundation. He leverages his lived experience of complex trauma to support VAMHN from a male perspective. Passionate about REDI, neurodiversity, leadership and systems change, he helps individuals and organisations address complex trauma, violence, abuse and mental health. Find him on LinkedIn here.
AM Stillman
She is a lived experience researcher, writer, photographer, and curator, bringing over 30 years of experience to the intersection of trauma and recovery. She is currently working in crisis management, and writing a book about recovery after disaster.
Winnie has been a member of the LEAG since its inception in 2020. Winnie is an advocate for those who are neurodiverse, as well as those who have Asian heritage. Outside of the LEAG Winnie sits on other lived experience groups, and is passionate about improving mental health provision for those who have experienced violence and/or abuse.
L.T. (she/they)
L.T. is neurodivergent and an autism advocate. They are from a marginalised background (e.g. LGBTQ+, disabled, ethnic minority) and are passionate about social justice. They have volunteered for different charities and local community groups for about two decades. They hope that their lived experience of complex trauma can help shape research and services for those who have also been affected by abuse and violence. They currently advise on mental health research and public involvement on a number of projects, from a similar perspective. They love cats, ice cream (even in winter!), and making art.
Naima Khan
Naima Khan is a professional lived experience researcher having worked for a number of organisations including AVA, McPin and AGENDA. Her research specialisms include multiple disadvantage, trauma, and peer support. She is also a qualified gardener and experienced crafter, using these skills to support her community.
Emily R
Emily R is a writer and campaigner based in London. After a career in freelance journalism, she now works part-time as Campaigns and Communications Manager for the user-led mental health charity Wish, as Project Office for the Haringey Suicide Prevention Group, as a Lived Experience Designer at Mind, and as a Trustee for the National Survivor User Network.
Justin Coleman
Justin is currently the Co-Founder & COO of the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, supporting organisations across its and Levelling the Playing Field networks. A Trustee for Kendleshire Kids Foundation. He leverages his lived experience of complex trauma to support VAMHN from a male perspective. Passionate about REDI, neurodiversity, leadership and systems change, he helps individuals and organisations address complex trauma, violence, abuse and mental health. Find him on LinkedIn here.
AM Stillman
She is a lived experience researcher, writer, photographer, and curator, bringing over 30 years of experience to the intersection of trauma and recovery. She is currently working in crisis management, and writing a book about recovery after disaster.
There are also one other member of the group who wish to remain anonymous.