We are committed to ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of individuals, groups, and communities—regardless of disability, ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, or any other protected characteristic—are central to the training of future clinical psychologists.
By meaningfully involving Experts by Experience, we aim to enrich the learning journey of our trainees and ultimately enhance the health and well-being of the people and communities they will serve. We believe that embedding co-production into clinical psychology training cultivates clinicians who are person-centred, collaborative, and socially aware. Trainees learn to work effectively with individuals, families, and carers across the lifespan and become more attuned to the social, cultural, and political contexts that shape people’s lives and healthcare experiences.
Our approach to co-production is grounded in inclusivity. We are dedicated to amplifying a diverse range of voices, particularly those with lived experience of psychological distress. We recognise the importance of addressing power imbalances and actively work to avoid tokenism by fostering genuine, sustainable partnerships. This commitment includes challenging institutional barriers and promoting equitable participation in all aspects of our work within the Clinical Psychology Unit (CPU).
We encourage all contributors to consider how their sessions can include experiential elements that bring the user perspective to life. This might involve:
Co-presenting with Experts by Experience or service users
Inviting service users to lead specific parts of a session
Using personal storytelling, audio, or video materials
If you plan to involve Experts by Experience in your teaching, please inform us in advance so we can ensure their contributions are acknowledged—such as inclusion on feedback forms—and offer appropriate support.