Background

In mid-March, AQA’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) met for the first time. 

The Panel is made up of 15 community members, representing a diversity of lived experience voices. The aim of LEAP will be to ensure that AQA continues to fulfil its purpose of resourcing people to live well as our community’s needs evolve, and as new opportunities arise. 

This guidance will be delivered to the AQA Board and Leadership Team, via regular recommendations on how AQA should be allocating resources, adapting services, and planning for the future. 

By engaging a wide range of lived experience voices in high-level decision making we hope to create a more inclusive, informed, and community-driven approach to our work.

Hear from LEAP Members

Karen

How was the first meeting? 

First meeting was great – it was very informative. All the members shared a little bit about themselves, and I can see we all come from very diverse backgrounds which is great – we’ll be able to contribute and have input on a whole range of things, with our different insights. 

Clive

Why did you join LEAP?

I’ve been disabled since 2010, so almost 15 years, and I’ve had a host of experiences in that completely different way of life, and I think if there’s anyway I can help others who experience a very sudden, severe disability – if my experience can be of any help to them, then it would make me feel great to be able to contribute.

Rhys 

Why did you join LEAP?

I joined LEAP so that I could help give back – I’ve spent a lot of years with AQA helping me out, with Mentoring and other things, and it’s been an amazing experience and helped me a lot, so I’m here to work with others to contribute and guide that work.