Step 6: Reflect and Learn From It
Here is some information on how to take stock and reflect on your influencing journey. This section helps you to think about your experience and learning, and to consider what would you do differently next time.
Spotlight on learning from local partner Moray Wellbeing Hub
The content displayed on this page was produced by Moray Wellbeing Hub and describes their reflections, experiences and learning over the years about lived experience leadership in driving change in healthcare / mental health services.
Visit Moray Wellbeing HubWell done for getting to this point! Whether you have succeeded in influencing change or not, it is important to take stock and reflect on your influencing journey. To understand how successful any activity is, taking time to reflect makes a big difference to planning for the future and celebrating success. A good way to do this is ask these questions based on an appreciative enquiry designed to keep you thinking about things from a strengths-based perspective.
- What did I plan to do? What did I set out to influence, and why?
- What did I end up doing?
- What worked well?
- What could be better?
- What did I learn for next time?
- What learning would you share with others wanting to influence something similar?
- What will I do next?
“Everyone judges things, you need to decide if it is ok to share with someone, if it is safe. People in healthcare are like us and have mental health challenges too, they might not feel safe to be open, but it is important to share and grow awareness of stigma, including self-stigma. Talking lets us support people and create opportunities to break stigma down. I have shared my experiences publicly to encourage more people to do the same. I can see that it helps my recovery and connects me to other people.”
As well as in the process of influencing, it is also important to reflect inwards, to consider what (if any) changes you have noticed about yourself. Perhaps you have noticed a change in your own confidence to speak up about your experience of accessing and receiving care and support; perhaps you created opportunities for others to have their voice heard, etc. Influencing change in health and social care can take a long time, and various attempts; the small changes in yourself and others should also be celebrated!
Many people feel inspired by others’ successes and challenges; consider sharing your experiences in influencing change with other people who are also keen to make a difference. You may inspire them and get great support back too! See Me are always keen to hear examples of action and often share these in their newsletter and social media.
Case Study: Reflecting and learning
After sending the letter, Mary feels anxious and questions if she did the right thing. Talking things over with the peer-group, they thank her for her support, and she feels empowered and connected. The GP surgery get back to Mary offer a chat with the practice manager. Mary says she will do this if her friend can come. She brings a copy of her letter to remind her of the key points. At the meeting the practice manager thanks Mary for her feedback, apologises for how she was treated, and gives details on what they will do in terms of speaking to the receptionist staff. She is also thanked for the idea of delivering a session, but that they have no time to organise this presently. After the meeting Mary remembers the opportunity to become a panel representative on the NHS group. She decides to join this to see if she can get more time for receptionists to get trained in stigma and discrimination. She checks with the person recruiting that she will get travel expenses and support to access online meetings. Mary decides to join as a patient representative.