Lived experience is becoming quite the buzz word not only in the charity sector, but increasingly in political and media circles. Who of us could forget the interview where Susannah Reid recounted to the Prime Minister the story of Elsie – a pensioner using her free bus pass to sit on the bus all day for warmth?
Stories move the world
And more than that, while stories are personal and individual to us, they share a commonality - a thread that runs through all human existence. None of us want to be hungry, cold, unwell or unable to enjoy childhood or life in other ways.
I first learned the power of lived experience when I became a volunteer Parent Campaigner in late 2020- a memorable year to start my journey as we were in lockdown due to Covid-19.
The pandemic made us all feel disconnected
As a single parent of two, being at home for 14 weeks with my only visitor the grocery delivery, it was easy to feel alone and isolated. I was on social security having been suffering terrible vertigo attacks that left me sometimes unable to stand or hear, caused by a long term health condition.
I needed connection, something for me
One day I happened upon an advert to become a Parent Campaigner and it opened a world to me. Campaigning to ‘Keep the Lifeline’ empowered me to tell my truth, and to my surprise people were sympathetic. I set up a petition, appeared on TV, I met my MP and eventually ended up speaking to an All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty and was quoted directly in Prime Ministers Questions.
My story took on a life of its own
Campaigning got into my blood like nothing else, and I soon applied for work at Save the Children. Imagine my shock to receive a call about a year ago to tell me I had got the job….I turned my passion into a career, a calling.
This journey gets me out of bed every day
Now being the volunteer coordinator to this amazing group of people continues to astound me, I feel like we are making history every time we meet. And arguably the Parents are…one of our Parents has taken the Department of Work and Pensions to court over up-front Childcare costs. Several Parents have given evidence to All Party Parliamentary Groups and Committees, most recently to an Inquiry into the Childcare system on Universal Credit which they feel is becoming a barrier to people being able to work and support their children. And small actions have a big impact – our policy meetings where people talk about their experiences give us insight into where the failings of the system are and shape our approach.
No cog in our machine is more important than the other
The Parents are unfailingly unstoppable, they campaign in difficult circumstances – at times periods of deep personal troubles. Their passion and heart show every time. Recently I nominated the Campaigners for a Sheila McKechnie award – a highlight in the charity sector calendar. I was delighted to hear that these strong, impressive and eloquent people were not just shortlisted but came overall Runners Up in a strong field. Little gave greater pleasure than to hear the Parents work acknowledged because I know almost every inch of the journey they personally have travelled and I am SO proud of them for walking it.
They shared a virtual awards ceremony with the likes of award winners Peter Tatchell, Jack Monroe and many of the most impressive people you’ll ever meet. My heart is full to know that people recognise their relentless hard work.
It won’t stop there – campaigning for change is a long road, with twists and turns. There is huge creativity and ambition in the Parent Campaigner group, some are using their volunteer experience to find their own calling.
Being a volunteer and coordinating volunteers has shown me the power of human potential, the strength behind the stories, the fact that change must have deep roots in the communities of people who need it. I’ve learned that the smallest of actions can sometimes grow into something branching, blossoming and beautiful.
Stories move the world, and the Parent Volunteers are making that change happen faster, they are truly an asset to the world.
Michelle shared her story as part of Volunteer’s Week,
If you are receiving Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits and have a child under 18, apply to become a Parent Campaigner today! Your voice and insight could improve the benefits system and change the lives of families across the UK.
