Lived Experience Leadership: Ian Callaghan on Co-production, Policy and Peer Support

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL, LIKE AND SHARE THIS VIDEO :) In this episode, Ian Callaghan talks about lived experience research, co-production and strategic involvement in the voluntary sector, drawing on his work as a Lived Experience Programme Manager at Rethink Mental Illness. He shares how his own journey began during a period of hospital care, where frustration with the quality of services led him to become involved in a patients’ council, quality improvement work and eventually a long-term career in lived experience involvement. The conversation explores how lived experience work can move from personal voice and advocacy into structured programmes, policy influence, commissioning, co-production and leadership. Ian also reflects on the current landscape of lived experience work in the UK, including the growth of peer support, expert by experience roles and senior lived experience leadership positions. Together, Ian and Nil discuss why the field is at a tipping point: the value of lived experience is increasingly recognised, but the structures, supervision, training, career pathways and support systems needed to sustain people in these roles are still not strong enough. They also talk about influencing policymakers, stigma, the role of voluntary sector organisations, community-based support, and Ian’s Mental Health Research for All fellowship on lived experience leadership. Ultimately, this is a conversation about being true to lived experience as a “north star”, creating better pathways for lived experience leaders, and building systems where people with lived experience are properly valued, supported and heard. Source: Rethink Mental Illness https://www.rethink.org/ Follow us on Instagram: @peerjournal Special thanks to Jake Fairnie and Studio 40H Ltd for their production support. Special thanks to the 2025 - 2026 cohort of IPLN Incubator. Grateful to Fat Freddy’s Drop for the clearance to use a sample of HOPE (LOCK-IN) featuring Lisa Tomlins. This season is powered by NIHR ARC North Thames.