The Elephants Trail Project

Barriers to and Benefits of Lived Experience Employment

The final episode for the lived experience employment series is looking at the barriers and benefits of lived experience employment. Join Charlotte from Shelter, Kelvin from ICM, Christine HR manager from the private sector and Anne from DWP as they explore the myths and misconceptions about employing people with lived experience and how to successfully embed lived experience employment well into the world of employment.

Lose the Labels

With more organisations wanting to employ individuals with lived experience to improve services, today’s episode explores how it feels to be employed in those roles and carry that ‘label’. Join Charlotte, Catherine, Roxy and Matt as they discuss how employers can better support staff with lived experience, the importance of choice and having ownership over sharing individual stories, and the recognition of the value that individuals with lived experience bring to the table.

The Glass Ceiling

Join Charlotte from ICM, Carol from the Good Employment Charter, Mark from CGL and Pete from CLI as they explore whether there is a glass ceiling for people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage when wanting to further their career. This episode explores the changes that can be made in workplace practice and culture to open up opportunities for people with lived experience and enable them to progress in their career.

ICM Grow Traineeships Intro -

ICM GROW TRAINEESHIPS Inspiring Change Manchester (ICM) is a partnership project led by Shelter with support from organisations Back on Track, Community-Led Initiatives and Big Life Group as part of the National Lottery Funded Fulfilling Lives Programme. The programme works with people experiencing multiple disadvantage to support them to overcome systemic barriers and reach their full potential. They work together to create systems change with a view to tackle inequalities and improve access to support. ICM designed the GROW Traineeship programme to help break down barriers into work for people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages. The programme created paid placements to provide practical experience and the support and guidance to secure further paid employment, while drawing on their lived expertise to improve our practices as an organisation. With ICM coming to a close in 2022 this podcast series delves into the practicalities of lived experience employment, raising awareness of it for organisations and people alike while addressing the more challenging aspects of delivering programmes like these successfully.

Behind closed doors - experiences in ABEN & temporary accommodation

WARNING: This podcast contains strong language, potentially triggering material and may not be suitable for children to listen to. Members of Elephants Trail have been working alongside people with lived experiences of living in temporary and emergency accommodation including Greater Manchester ABEN ( a bed for every night) projects, hostels, B&B’s and refuges. We have been discussing the many challenges people living in temporary and emergency accommodation face and hearing their views on how best to support people to help overcome these challenges. The content of these podcasts will be discussed with those working across the homelessness sector in Greater Manchester including strategic leaders , commissioners and representatives of the Voluntary and Community and Faith sectors . Together we will commit to action which promotes safety, dignity and respect for all people facing homelessness across Greater Manchester.