Embracing Lived Experience: User-Informed Care at Harmless
By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO)
Introduction
Harmless is committed to providing user-informed care by embracing individuals with lived experience in our workforce. In this article, we will delve into our principled approach to integrating lived experience, clarifying that while we are not a peer support service, we carefully consider the resilience and well-being of our staff to ensure the highest quality of care for our service users.
The Power of Lived Experience
At Harmless, we recognise the power of lived experience and the unique insights it offers. We understand that individuals who have personally navigated their own mental health challenges can provide invaluable support and empathy to those in distress. While we embrace lived experience, we do so with a principled view, acknowledging the importance of ensuring the well-being and resilience of our staff members.
User-Informed Care
Being a user-led service means actively involving individuals with lived experience in shaping our programmes and service delivery. Their input helps us understand the needs, preferences and challenges faced by those seeking support. This integration ensures that our services are relevant, effective and responsive to the lived realities of our service users.
Our Principled Approach
It is important to note that while Harmless embraces lived experience, we are not a peer support service. We take a principled view when recruiting individuals to our workforce, considering their prior struggles and ensuring they have resolved these challenges and are in a strong and resilient place. This includes having a good sense of their own needs and having a supportive network in place to uphold their well-being.
Protecting Staff Well-Being
We firmly believe that the well-being of our staff is crucial for providing the highest quality of care to our service users. We take great care in ensuring that our staff members are equipped with the necessary support and resources to effectively manage the demands and stresses of their roles. By upholding the well-being of our staff, we can better serve our service users and maintain the integrity of our user-informed care approach.
Balancing Resilience and Compassion
By recruiting individuals with resolved lived experiences, we strike a delicate balance between resilience and compassion. This principled approach enables us to provide exceptional care while safeguarding the well-being of our staff. It ensures that our team members can draw from their personal journeys of recovery without compromising their own mental health, allowing them to be fully present and supportive for our service users.
Conclusion
Harmless is dedicated to user-informed care and embracing lived experience in our workforce. While we are not a peer support service, we carefully consider the resilience and well-being of our staff to ensure the highest quality of care for our service users. By upholding our principled approach, we create a supportive and compassionate environment where individuals with lived experience can contribute their unique insights while maintaining their own well-being. This allows us to provide exceptional care and empower individuals on their path to recovery, upholding the values of compassion, integrity and resilience at Harmless.
