Shape the History of Care
Caring Communities is a major historical research project, being led by Newcastle University, that examines experiences of care in the UK over the last 200 years.
We are looking for a number of Care Experienced people across the UK to join the Advisory Group. Your insights will help shape the design and delivery of the research, ensuring that Care Experienced voices and priorities are at the centre of what it does.
Sitting within the Lived Experienced Advisory Group, advisors are not asked or expected to share their personal stories; their contributions are not based on individual experiences, but how their experiences shape their expert insight to shape and improve work about care experience and its long history more widely.
Payment: £110 per meeting. This covers a 2-hour online meeting and up to 2 hours of preparation time.
Time commitment: Twice a year (roughly March and September)
Location: Online (via Microsoft Teams).
We welcome applications if:
- You are aged 18+
- You are Care Experienced
- You have some interest in the field of history and the history of care
- You feel passionate about or have experience in using Lived Experience expertise to influence and shape work
- You are keen to share your ideas, collaborate with others, and are interested in helping us find the best way to develop our research
- You are able to offer constructive challenge and offer suggestions for developing a variety of project activities
What you will do:
Champion the voice of Care Experienced people: help identify team priorities and ensure our work reflects wider perspectives on care.
Shape our activities: co-produce and review materials and reflect critically on our research progress.
Connect past and present: help our research team bridge the gap between historical data and the modern realities of care
Challenge us: provide open advice and critique to ensure the project stays meaningful
Practicalities and support:
Equipment needed: you will need an active email account and a way to access Microsoft Teams and review documents (via a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone)
Expenses: While most meetings are online there may be occasional options for in-person events. Where travel is required, we will book trains and accommodation directly for you. Expenses for reasonable carer or support worker costs can also be claimed.
A safe, supportive space: the group is facilitated by project partner Who Cares? Scotland. We have decades of experience in advocacy, participation and championing Care Experienced voices. Together, we are committed to providing a welcoming, safe and supportive space for all our members.
Why take part?
By joining us, you will have the opportunity to:
- Shape a major UKRI-funded research programme
- Influence how care/care experience history and heritage is told and understood
- Identify Care Experienced priorities that could impact future policy and practice
- Collaborate with a passionate and supportive team
Caring Communities is a project being led and delivered by Newcastle University. The Lived Experience Advisory Group is part of the Caring Communities project and has instructed Who Cares? Scotland as facilitators of the group. The project and the Advisory Group have received ethical approval from Newcastle University [ref: 56687]