years of unfinished business

Three decades of unwavering commitment to reforming the criminal justice system to respond humanely to some of the most vulnerable in society is no small feat. When we embarked on this journey in 1993, our vision was bold: to design and test approaches to divert people with mental health issues to support services outside of the justice system. Although our mission is far from accomplished, our tireless, inspirational members have put lived experience voices and expertise front and centre in our research, design and advocacy, bringing lived experience to the very forefront of policy reform and service development.

members across regional and specialist forums

Lived experience forums lie at the core of our mission. Within these forums, our members have directly engaged with those in positions of power, leveraging their expertise to shape policy development and service design. Through ongoing training, development support, and workshops, we have equipped our members with the confidence and skills they need to become effective advocates for change.

peer research missions

Across our research, members embarked on 53 peer research missions across eight projects in 2022/23. From conducting interviews to co-analysing sessions, they’ve been the driving force behind national and local research, infusing projects with authenticity.

people reached through services we’ve supported

The revolving doors cohort is notoriously difficult to reach, despite being a group which requires major support across a range of services. We and our members have worked tirelessly to ensure that people can access the help and opportunities they deserve, and that those who deliver services can respond in humane, informed ways.