In Dundee, we recognise we need to develop a robust approach to ensure lived experience has a meaningful contribution and influence within local strategic planning across our Public Protection Partnerships. This led to the opportunity to work with the Authentic Voice Project. We have taken this opportunity to partner with Authentic Voice as the pilot area for their leadership workstream focused on embedding lived experience into strategic forums across Scotland. 

Authentic Voice is a national project aiming to support local authorities and other community planning organisations to develop the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to embed survivor voices and lived experience into local systems and service design processes. They do this in a robust, trauma-informed and meaningful way. 

Dundee Chief Officers Group (COG) have endorsed this as a priority for senior leadership, and are committed to engaging in key activities with the project. It is led in collaboration with people who have lived experience and their input will very much be at the heart of the Authentic Voice project.