At the end of our series of research roadshows on the complex topic of Transitional Safeguarding, one thing we reflected upon, as a team, was the importance and impact of people and their stories.
Giving voice and control is central to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and there’s an emphasis on capturing qualitative evidence in the Performance and Improvement Framework.
The feedback we've gathered, demonstrates when real-life stories are shared this is the part of the roadshows that people are most likely to remember.
What has occurred to me recently is the subtle difference between the two terms ‘lived’ and ‘living’ experience. It’s a small difference in the verb tense between past and present that has a huge impact and bearing on recruiting individuals to share their story.
When does experience move to the past as something ‘lived’ and concluded? ‘Living’ implies something that continues to be felt and known. I think that this focus on past versus present experiences is interesting and informed by a notion of life as chronological or linear. Of course, in reality life is unpredictable and complex.
Sometimes, people’s ability to share their experience depends on where they are in their lives. For example, recently we were connected with someone whose story would provide insight and learning at a future event. However, because of unforeseen life events, it was no longer ethical or appropriate for us to pursue their participation. We’ve learned that this is part of the process.
The Senses Framework suggests that psychological safety is linked with things like consistency, physical safety, continuity and security. Using this model when involving people with lived experience, helps us recognise that often people can be struggling with complex issues, which can then impact on some of these safety mechanisms.
For our first Transitional Safeguarding roadshow, held in Newport, we were lucky to have identified someone who was comfortable and confident sharing his story with us in person. Wes Cunliffe, who also appears in our video, experienced trauma and complex challenges growing up. This culminated in his involvement with gangs and county lines. He now consults with South Wales Police on relevant cases so that he can share his experience and advocate for young people.
When we approach people with real stories of experience to share at our events, we’re mindful of the need to give them sufficient time. Without this, their contribution could be seen as tokenistic or inadvertently reductive.
When people can share stories comfortably it can have a profound effect on audiences. People can share their stories in person, through voice or video recording or in a written piece. The most important thing is that it’s done in a way that feels right for the individual.
This allows choice and control for people to engage on their terms. We also go back to people after events to give feedback and update about the impact their stories have had. One key message that’s been shared is that 'one person can make a difference and everyone can try'.
Finding people who want to share their stories can be challenging and there are some important things to think about.
As a team, we’ve been successful in building relationships with people who have appeared at our roadshows to share their stories. We’ve led with trust and mutual respect and part of the process has included going back to them to update on the impact of their story sharing. We want them to understand the value of their contribution and how it has supported learning and development in practice.
Hearing from people who have lived or living experience can bring the research message to life. Although there are some challenges to story sharing, it’s a powerful way to engage us intellectually and emotionally.
Visit our Research roadshows page for more information on how we bring researchers, practitioners and people with lived experience together.
Our Storytelling framework for social care in Wales gives practical examples of where story sharing can be applied to practice and information around the ethics and benefits of storytelling.
Knowledge Mobilisation Manager
My role is all about finding ways to support people to get evidence into practice, and to link the worlds of practice and research so we can make sense of evidence together.
Before joining Social Care Wales, I worked for Carmarthenshire local authority in the learning and development team. Working with newly qualified social workers and running a Research in Practice group were my favourite parts of that role.