What is Lived Experience?

Understanding the power of personal experience in creating meaningful, inclusive change.

Experts By
Experience

Lived experience recognises the value of knowledge and insight gained through real-life experience. It brings perspectives that cannot be learned through theory alone.

It is expertise shaped by real life.

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Real Insight

It helps us understand what truly works, what doesn’t, and where change is needed.

Coach supporting participant during accessible basketball session

True Inclusion

It guides us in creating activities, services and spaces that are genuinely accessible, welcoming and empowering.

Two women sitting on chairs in a circle in a leisure centre setting

Meaningful Change

It influences everything we do — from programme design and delivery to strategy and policy.

Lived Experience isn’t an “add-on”, or “case study”. It is expertise grounded in reality, context and everyday life, and it is central to how we think, plan and act.

Why Lived
Experience
Matters

Lived experience helps us better understand people, systems and barriers. It creates opportunities to learn, reflect and shape more inclusive experiences together, where people feel seen, valued, and included.

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Reflects real needs

It ensures programmes are shaped by real priorities and aspirations — not assumptions.

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Builds trust

It fosters understanding and credibility between professionals, participants and communities.

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Drives innovation

It challenges traditional approaches and encourages more responsive, person-centred ways of working to help improve how sport and physical activity are delivered.

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Amplifies voices

It challenges barriers and creates meaningful opportunities for underrepresented voices to influence health and community systems.

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT

Play Your Part tagline logo

We actively share meaningful involvement activities and learning opportunities so you can Play Your Part® and use your lived experience, strengths and skills to help shape what we do. To get involved, email us and tell us a bit about your experiences and interests.

Live
Opportunities

There are no current live opportunities, check back soon for updates.

Celebrating
Achievements

Inclusive discussion panel with speakers sharing lived experience perspectives

Organisations share ways to shape opportunities in sport and activity

Organisations from across the sport and physical activity sector spent a day this week…

July 4, 2025
Sport for Confidence team members posing together at the London Marathon Group venue

Breaking Barriers and Creating Change – Include to Improve Programme Launches

Sport for Confidence CIC has teamed up with the Activity Alliance to launch ‘Include…

April 14, 2025
Participant speaking with climbing staff at an indoor climbing wall

Sport for Confidence and Activity Alliance Launch Include To Improve

Activity Alliance and Sport for Confidence are proud to launch Include to Improve –…

March 21, 2025