Lived Insights works alongside people with direct experience of homelessness, addiction, mental ill health and the criminal justice system.

We conduct qualitative, community-based research driven by individuals with direct experience, offering genuine insights into social issues.

Our process involves designing, carrying out, and sharing research that elevates the voices of those most marginalised. By working alongside individuals with direct experience, support services and community initiatives, we identify what really matters, collaborate to influence  strategies and policies, and help create the change. We focus on three main areas of work - Research, Facilitation and Engagement. 

Read more about our activities below and if you're a service provider or an organisation looking to centre the voice of those most affected, bring meaningful insights, co-production and participatory approaches to the work that you do, please do get in touch with us at

contact@livedinsights.org
A handmade collage created from newspaper clippings, put together during a research session using an arts and crafts approach. The arrangement features layered text and images, suggesting themes related to mental health.

Research

We offer qualitative research delivered by those with direct experience. We can design, deliver and disseminate based on a variety of research techniques on all social issues, placing direct experience at the heart of the process.

A group of people are seated around a table in a well-lit room, facing a whiteboard. Three large sheets of paper, each featuring the outline of a human figure, are attached to the board. The figures are covered with colourful sticky notes. One person stands at the front with their back to the group, placing sticky notes onto one of the paper figures, suggesting a collaborative workshop session.

Facilitation & Training

We can create or help support spaces for individuals to contribute to action research about defined topics or to help a group design a process to identify topics that matter to them, such as financial inequality, health support, community activities and how to move these agendas forward.

A group of people are gathered around a table in St Denys, engaged in discussion. The table is set with food and drinks, and pens and notepads. The setting suggests a collaborative and informal meeting.

Community Engagement

Engaging with people with direct experience of the issues that affect them is a powerful way to build trust, connections and enable change. We host spaces as a way of developing relationships between individuals, community organisations and public bodies to improve understanding and action the needs of the community.