What is an expert by experience? 
An expert by experience is someone who has recent personal experience of using or caring for someone who has used perinatal mental health services.
 
Why do we need experts by experience?
At Derbyshire Perinatal Mental Health Service we strive to provide the highest quality care. We want to be compassionate, safe and responsive. We want to support recovery from perinatal illness for women, birthing people and their families, whilst promoting equality and fairness in all we do. We truly believe the best people to help us achieve our goals are the experts by experience. Experts by experience support us in our vision to ensure the patient voice is central to all decision making. 

What does being an expert by experience entail? 
We have regular expert by experience meetings every 4-6 weeks; these will be held online but with the option of some face to face meets. There's no requirement to commit to every meeting, we appreciate any contributions you are able to make. During the meetings we will share current ways our experts by experience can get involved. 

How can I be involved?
Experts by experience can support us to shape and improve Derbyshire Perinatal Service. There are several ways that you can support and share your expertise:

• Shape our future workforce by supporting on recruitment panels
• Help us to train our teams to keep the people that access our service at the centre of everything we do 
• Help us develop our services and policies by providing valuable and expert opinions
• Help us raise the profile and awareness of perinatal services and help us improve the way we reach out to our local communities
• Help us celebrate recovery by supporting with  fundraising and events. 

Will I be paid for my time?
Where you are participating in planned activities such as recruitment, events or training a payment of £12.50 an hour is offered. Reasonable expenses are also available for costs incurred by Experts by Experience whilst being involved in activities.  This can be claimed by sending a completed form or requesting support to complete the form to kerby.walker@nhs.net
 

“The people who I have worked with have changed the outcome and trajectory of mine and my children’s lives. Thank you,”