You can learn more about our 2025 Lived Experience Judges by reading their bios.
I really wanted the experience of being a judge as I take part in lots of competitions, so it was nice to do it differently. On the judging day, I helped with the paperwork, and I really enjoyed it and looking at what other people have done. My favourite things to do are singing, dancing and helping others.
I wanted to be a Lived Experience Judge because I spend a lot of time in hospital and I struggle a lot with my mental health, so I really thought this would be great for me, and honestly, it was great. I enjoyed scoring, picking out the winner and reading everyone’s stories. My interests are football and supporting other people (which I love doing to focus on my career as a support worker.)
During my time spent in hospitals, I have gained some understanding of what it’s like to be in the mental health system. Being a judge for awards gave me a sense of happiness, because I got to help praise the individuals who have stood out in their journey with mental health issues and become stronger. I was so glad to be part of the Judging Team, it has given me the insight into the phrase “things do get better”. I enjoyed communicating with the team and discussing our opinions, which was interesting and helpful. I also enjoyed participating in the decision-making process. It was really challenging choosing a winner, as they all stood out.
I wanted to be on the judging team to experience all the outstanding work that lived experience partners have done. I enjoyed sharing my views with the other judges and seeing the different things each of us found inspiring, which widened my appreciation of each nomination as a whole. Gaining this well-rounded view that only exists with collaborating with other people gave me real insight into the nominees’ journeys and stories. Outside of Lived Experience roles, I’m into fashion, cartoons, national day trips (beach days and nature walks) and mental health activism. I’m also a Sanrio lover, and I have three Sanrio tattoos!
Rhiannon enjoyed the judging day because she was able to take part and judge amazing things going on in other hospitals. She had a great day and was inspired by lots of fantastic things that are happening.
I wanted to be a judge on the panel to help out add my expertise on the awards. I also enjoyed the partnership between different services
I think it’s important to recognise and elevate exemplary individuals and groups who have pushed the boundaries of lived experience and brought it into the spotlight. I enjoyed the environment of the Judging Day and getting to learn about so many inspirational nominees. I enjoy helping people, games and my doggo called Loki!
I wanted to be a judge to hear about other people’s experiences and what they have achieved. Hearing their stories inspired me to want to make improvements in my own life. Specifically, signing up to do a peer mentor course, so I can help my peers.
This has been my first time at the National Lived Experience Awards as a judge. I really enjoyed the experience and getting to help pick the winner of our category. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and get reacquainted with some familiar faces from the past. Getting to look behind the scenes and see how the judging was done was extremely interesting, and in the future, I would love to be nominated for a Lived Experience Award myself. I love watching lower-league football; I support the best team in the world…Crewe Alexandra FC and I enjoy going to the races with my family.
This has been my first time at the National Lived Experience Awards as a judge. It was a good experience and was nice to get the opportunity to see what different services are doing from a lived experience perspective. I found it inspiring to see so many projects being created and delivered by service users. I was on the judging panel for the community award and heard several ideas which I feel could be used in the services I use and work within (I have a role as a project support worker as well as being supported by the SCFT). I love sports, especially football. I attend walking football at Everton in the Community but as a red I always wear my Liverpool shirt to show where my loyalties lie!
I enjoyed being part of the Lived Experience Judging as it gave me a better understanding of my own mental health, as well as understanding others. I have enjoyed this experience as it makes me feel valued and empowered. It will also help me in my recovery journey.
Hi, my name is Femy. I have been using my Lived Experience in Coproduction for the past 3 years, and I was really excited to be a judge for this year’s National Lived Experience Awards and to see all the amazing work that is going on, on a National level and to celebrate the amazing people who make a difference every day. A fun fact about me is that one Summer holiday, I looked after all the school pets for 6 weeks, which included a chinchilla, a pregnant guinea pig and a gecko.
I wanted to join the judging team this year because, I was on the judging panel last year and I really enjoyed the experience. I enjoyed be able to help give people recognition for their achievements. I like baking, dance, and listening to music. A fun fact about me is that I have been swimming with dolphins twice.
I find it interesting in learning other people’s stories. It was good getting to know other Judges around the table, and it was different from being on the ward. Just having that time to go away and meet new people was a good experience. It was a good day, and I am inspired that this can help me. My interest in life is to be a professional performer, e.g. singing or dancing.
I liked being out with my friends; it was fun. I enjoyed reading other people’s stories and their achievements. I am inspired by people’s stories that inspire me to make more improvements. It was a very good day. In the future, I would like to be a hairdresser.
I wanted to be on the team to experience a role outside of being a patient and receiving treatment. It was a good opportunity to get off the ward and meet new people in new places. I enjoyed learning about different services and service users. It was fantastic to hear how services have adapted to patients’ individual collective needs to make lives better. I was also very inspired by the applications. A fun fact about me: I had never tried all of the different Percy Pigs before! My interest is nature and wildlife.
I really wanted to be a judge because it makes me feel happy listening to the good things that people have been doing. I like to hear the things that other people have been doing and see if I can do the same thing in my life. You meet some really nice people too!
I arrived at Cygnet in August 2023 during one of the most challenging periods of my life, struggling with severe depression. My time here offered me a vital opportunity to rebuild and reshape my future. Since then, I have embraced every step of the journey toward personal growth and recovery. In recognition of the progress made by others on similar paths, I joined the Lived Experience Judging Panel for the National Lived Experience Awards. I was inspired to celebrate the achievements of fellow residents and witness the incredible ways in which individuals have supported and uplifted one another. It has been deeply rewarding to see how people evolve and contribute positively to the lives around them.