Bringing Lived Experience to the DWP Collaboration Committee

Miles standing outside Caxton House, wearing glasses, blue headphones around his neck, and a purple coat. The Caxton House building is visible in the background.

Latest News

October 24, 2025

Bringing Lived Experience to the DWP Collaboration Committee

Miles from Lived Insights attended a recent DWP Collaboration Committee meeting, helping shape how people may receive future welfare support.

Lived Insights sits on the Right to Try Work committee – one of five groups made up equally of DWP policymakers and people and organisations with lived experience.

These meetings, running from July to November, focus on designing fairer, safer ways for people with health conditions or disabilities to explore work.

Recent discussions focused on:

  • Building real safety nets so people can try work without losing benefits
  • Ensuring clear, trusted communication and access to a “better off” calculator
  • Providing consistent training across DWPfrom ministers to frontline staff
  • Embedding lived experience in every stage of policy design

As the committee nears its final meeting, Miles and others are preparing advice and learning for Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, to take for government consideration.

Miles says “It’s been fantastic to be part of this, I’m proud that Lived Insights is the only York-based, lived experience-led organisation invited to contribute to these national discussions. 

Our mission is to make sure people with lived experience are listened to because ‘Those who’ve lived it, know it best!’ – what works, what doesn’t and what needs what needs to change.”

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