Experts by Experience (EBE)

The Trust recently expanded its ‘Expert by Experience’ programme to include a team of eleven expert service users and carers. An EBE is a volunteering role and those appointed use their experiences of mental health services – as a service user or a carer of someone with mental health problems – to influence the delivery and quality of services we provide.  They also help represent the interests and views of other local service users and carers and promote involvement opportunities within the Trust. To find out more about our Experts by Experience, please click here.

Meet the EBEs

Cogged Naomi cogged Debbie cogged Razia
Naomi Ball Debbie Bills Razia Chaudhry
cogged David Clarke Cogged Emma
David Clarke      Kerrie Fisher
 Emma Salt
cropped Andy Cogged David Stocks Cogged agnes
Andrew Simpson David Stocks Agnes Wallwork

What does an EBE do?

Here are some of the activities our team will get involved with:

  • Attending strategic meetings e.g. Trust Board, Integrated Governance Committee
  • Participating in focus groups on the development of policies, strategies, patient information
  • Participating in recruitment & selection of Trust staff
  • Participating in the training & development of staff and other service users & carers
  • Building links with local service user & carer, community and voluntary groups (including ‘under-represented’ communities) to help extend involvement in the Trust
  • Promoting Trust involvement opportunities to general public
  • Supporting the Foundation Trust application by helping with membership recruitment, involvement activities and having a presence at special FT events etc.
  • Undertaking training opportunities, alongside staff, that are offered within the Trust e.g. Equality & Diversity, Recruitment & Selection

How do I become an EBE?

All our EBEs are asked to support us for a fixed period of 12 months, though of course they are entitled to leave the role earlier should they wish. At the end of each 12 month period, the eight EBE roles will be opened up for general application to allow as many service users and carers as possible the chance to benefit from this scheme.

The EBE roles will be advertised as widely as possible across Dudley and Walsall during this period. All relevant information about how to apply and what the process involves will appear on our website in good time.

If this role sounds like something you would be interested in, please check this page regularly for further updates.

How do I contact an EBE?

If you would like an EBE to attend a meeting or event to discuss involvement opportunities taking place within the Trust from a service user/carer perspective, please contact Tracy Cross, Service Experience and Engagement Coordinator, on 01384 324531.