Builder, Expert, Disruptor, Leader: The Many Roles of People with Lived Experience

People with lived experience of health and social care, including family carers, should be at the heart of integrated care policy and practice. One of the challenges to achieving such co-production is insufficient clarity and limited understanding of the different roles that people with lived experience are asked or choose to undertake. Following research and workshops, four roles have been identified – community builder, improvement expert, disruptor/advocate, and citizen leader. Recognising the distinct contribution and demands of these roles will enable appropriate support and development for people with lived experience and the professionals and managers with whom they collaborate.