Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Online Community Engagement
• Lived Experience
• Support Service Improvement
• Council Services
• Lived Experience Network

Aim

The Aberdeenshire Lived Experience Online Forum is a discussion space for people with lived experience of poverty to provide anonymous feedback on the impact of poverty-mitigating services in Aberdeenshire.

Summary

The Aberdeenshire Lived Experience Online Forum is a discussion group hosted by Aberdeenshire Council. The forum’s main objective is to provide a discussion space for the Council, communities and people with lived experience of poverty to identify the challenges of living in poverty in Aberdeenshire. This is hosted so the Council can improve its existing support services. The discussions are held monthly, usually under a specific topic, and every participant logs in anonymously to ensure their privacy. The forum helps improve services, helps participants access different support services and organisations, and builds a support network for people facing similar challenges.

What difference does it make?

The project provides a space for people with lived experience of poverty to safely express their opinions and experiences of the support services in Aberdeenshire. The project helps its participants find the support they needed, either with programmes or projects run by the Council and other local third sector organisations. Those participating in the forum feel valued because their discussions impact the different support services delivered. The group helps the Council strengthen inclusive language used, which reduces the anxiety and stigma of asking for help and clarifies support pathways.

Key take-aways

• Anonymity creates a safe space for those with lived experience to express the challenges of living in poverty.
• Councils and support services that adopt inclusive communication strategies are beneficial for those who find it difficult to ask for help.
• Online forums allow communities to reduce poverty-related stigma and anxiety and also enables them to better understand the different support pathways available .

 

Organisations

Aberdeenshire Council – Office of Child and Poverty Engagement

Location

Delivered remotely for people throughout Aberdeenshire

No set end date

Contact