Lived Experience Team

12/10/2026

Come and join our team 🫶

Our mission is to work alongside people across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast who feel unheard, ensuring they are empowered to create real and positive change in their own lives and the lives of others.

09/10/2026

💜 Shaping the future of recovery in Blackpool together 💜

Yesterday, Public Health's Recovery Strategy Engagement Event brought an exciting opportunity to bring our recovery community together, uniting people from local services and people with lived and living experience to share ideas and help shape the future of recovery in Blackpool.

At the heart of the conference was a shared ambition to co-produce the priorities for Blackpool's new recovery strategy, ensuring the voices of people with lived experience of recovery are helping to lead the way.

By bringing people together, sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can identify what matters most, build on what is already working and create new opportunities for people to thrive in recovery.

Yesterday's event was about more than developing a strategy. It was about creating a recovery system that reflects the needs of our community, breaks down barriers and gives people the opportunity to build meaningful, fulfilling lives. ✨

18/09/2026

Recovery Games 2026 💪

Last weekend Blackpool’s recovery community headed to Doncaster to take part in the Recovery Games, joining recovery communities from across the country for a day full of fun, connection, teamwork and a little healthy competition!

It was brilliant to see so many people coming together, supporting each other, trying new things and celebrating everything that recovery can bring.

A huge well done to everyone who took part, to Blackpool Recovery Hub for organising and Mulberry Community Project’s team for winning ahead of 40 teams from around the country, bringing the trophy back to Blackpool. 🏆

We’re already looking forward to the next one! 💜

15/09/2026

Join our team! 🌟

Do you have lived experience of multiple disadvantages (including substance misuse, homelessness, offending, domestic abuse and mental health challenges) and want to use it to make a difference in your community?

Join us as a Community Navigator, supporting people in the Ingthorpe Ward who are experiencing multiple disadvantage to access services, build confidence, and create positive change.

If you're passionate about supporting others through your lived experience, we'd love to hear from you.

To view the full job description: https://empowermentcharity.org.uk/jobs/community-navigator

If you have any questions about the job role or application process, please feel free to attend our drop-in session on Monday 21st September from 1-3pm at the Lived Experience Team office in Winstone House. Members of our team will be available to support you with your application and provide information.

For any further information or questions, please contact Nicola at 0300 32 32 100 (option 2).

To apply, please use the link below or get in touch if you’d like a paper copy of the application.

31/08/2026

💜 International Overdose Awareness Day 💜

Behind every loss is a person who mattered. A family who loved them. Friends who miss them.

As the Lived Experience Team, we know how important it is to keep remembering the people that have lost their lives to overdoses. We also know the power of sharing our experiences to help others understand the risks, recognise the signs and have conversations that could save a life.

Today, we are sharing a reminder of the reality of overdose and the lasting impact it can have through the words of “Overdose Aware”, a powerful poem written by one of our team members, David Wilson. 💜

26/08/2026

🏆 Blackpool Inclusive Recovery Games 🏆

We’re excited to share that our team will be getting involved in the Blackpool Inclusive Recovery Games this Friday🎉

It’s a brilliant day all about connection, community, fun and celebrating recovery. We’re looking forward to getting stuck in, having a laugh and enjoying a day with our recovery community.

📅 Friday 28th August
📍 Stanley Park Sports Centre, Blackpool
⏰ 10:30am – 4:00pm

There’ll be activities throughout the day, a team rounders competition and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Come down, cheer us on and join the fun💜

Let’s celebrate what happens when recovery communities come together 💪

25/08/2026

💜 Come together for Overdose Awareness Day💜

This Overdose Awareness Day, our friends at The Salvation Army are creating a space for people to come together, remember those we have lost and share a moment of connection, remembrance and hope.

📅 Wednesday 2 September
🕛 12pm
📍 The Salvation Army, Raikes Parade

We’d love to see our community, partners, friends and anyone who wants to remember together join us there.

By coming together, we can remember those we have lost, stand alongside those affected and continue to build a community where people feel supported and know that help is available. 💜

19/08/2026

💜 INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 💜

Our partner agency, Renaissance, is hosting a special event to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember those we have lost, support those affected and help prevent future loss.

📅 Tuesday 1 September
🕥 10:30am – 1:00pm
📍 102 Dickson Road
🤝 Hosted by Renaissance

The morning will be a chance to come together, reflect, share food, hear a presentation and, most importantly, find support and connect with others.

Overdose can affect individuals, families, friends and whole communities. Events like this create a safe space to talk, remember and remind people that support is available and no one has to face things alone.

Everyone is welcome. Come along, share, listen and be part of the conversation. 💜

07/08/2026

✨️ Feedback Friday ✨️

Support isn't just about helping people through difficult moments, it's also about creating opportunities to rediscover confidence, connection and enjoyment. This week’s feedback focuses on the positive impacts meaningful activities can have.

For many of the people we support, meaningful activities provide more than just something to do. They offer a chance to try something new, build positive routines, reduce isolation and take a break from the challenges they may be facing.

Whether it's sport, creative sessions or spending time together, meaningful activities can play an important role in recovery and wellbeing. They help people reconnect with themselves, build relationships and take positive steps forward.💜

31/07/2026

✨️ Feedback Friday ✨️
As the Lived Experience Team, we know that everyone's journey is different, which is why we work alongside each person, providing practical support, advocating when it's needed and working in partnership with other services to help people achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

No challenge is too big or too small. Whether it's navigating services, rebuilding confidence or taking the next step towards recovery, we're committed to walking alongside people every step of the way.

Today's feedback highlights the difference that collaborative, person-centred support can make, helping people move forward with hope and confidence. 💜

If you're looking for help, support or more information, please give us a call on 0300 32 32 100 (option 2).