The Buckinghamshire Experience & Involvement Team has made a profound difference to colleagues, patients, service users, and carers by ensuring that lived experience is at the heart of service improvement. Their dedication to co-production has enabled service users and carers to have a meaningful voice in shaping healthcare services, leading to more compassionate and person-centered care.

Experience and Involvement Facilitator Roberta Silva said:

“We are delighted to receive this award, especially as the nomination came from one of our experts by experience that we work alongside in Bucks. We were touched that they took the time to write and put us forward for this award.

“We feel lucky to be part of a small but strong team that champions co-production and involvement, and we look forward to building on this success with teams across the Directorate.”

The nomination

The Buckinghamshire Experience & Involvement Team was nominated by expert by experience Allison – for their extraordinary compassion and commitment to patient and service user involvement, ensuring that lived experiences shape and improve healthcare services.

Allison commented:

“The Experience and Involvement Team has a transformative impact on both staff and service users.

“For colleagues within the Trust, they provide invaluable support by facilitating engagement with experts by experience, making co-production accessible and effective. Their proactive approach ensures that staff understand the importance of lived experience and feel confident in integrating it into their work.

“For service users and carers, the team’s unwavering commitment ensures that their contributions are valued, supported, and acted upon. They create a safe and welcoming space for involvement, ensuring that everyone feels heard and respected. Their dedication to follow-up and feedback reassures service users that their input leads to real change.

“One standout example is how they supported me when I was nervous about delivering a presentation on co-production to senior leadership at the monthly board meeting. Their guidance, reassurance, and practical assistance means I feel confident enough to speak and have my voice be heard. Without their encouragement, I would not have the courage to share my lived experience in such a setting.

“Their impact extends beyond individual experiences—they are fostering a culture shift within the Trust. By supporting staff teams in embedding co-production, they are ensuring that patient and carer voices are at the heart of service development. Their efforts have led to improved policies, more inclusive services, and a deeper understanding of patient perspectives among healthcare professionals.

“Without this small but incredibly effective team, the culture of co-production in Oxford Health would not be as strong as it is today. Their impact is truly immeasurable.”