Coproduction and Lived Experience Lead

• Suffolk User Forum
• Address:Ipswich Suffolk IP5 2BY
• Salary:42839 per annum pro rata 22.23 per hour
• Hours:30 hours per week
• Contract:Permanent required as soon as possible
• Reference:0802

Help us make nothing about us without us a reality. Were looking for a warm values led Coproduction and Lived Experience Leadto embed coproduction across Suffolk User Forum and help the wider Suffolk mental health system do the same.

You will manage a Lived Experience Coordinator and a Volunteer Coordinator lead our quarterly Coproduction Steering Group and work groups and represent Suffolk User Forum in coproduction and engagement programmes with the Integrated Care Board and Suffolk County Council. You will also lead internal and external coproduction projects keep lived experience central to service design and to how we work and write clear reports for our Chief Executive Officer and Board.

Your responsibilities

In this role you will provide visible values-led leadership that brings SUFs 2026 to 2029 strategy to life. You will champion coproduction across the organisation ensuring lived experience including voices less often heard shapes our work our governance and the wider mental health system.

You will lead our Coproduction Steering Group setting clear agendas supporting accessible papers and ensuring actions are genuinely co-produced. You will keep our CEO Board and members informed through clear timely updates that demonstrate impact and accountability.

You will represent SUF with the Integrated Care Board Suffolk County Council NHS partners and VCSE organisations building trusted relationships and influence. You will support people with lived experience to take part in recruitment tenders programme boards and service redesign ensuring involvement is meaningful fair and well supported.

You will lead coproduction projects from start to finish shaping clear outcomes and supporting the CEO with project development for funding bids. You will help deliver our strategic priorities including Conversation Cafes focus groups Stepping Forward events and self-advocacy resources.

Working closely with the SUF leadership team you will provide supportive line management to our Lived Experience Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator helping them grow in confidence and capability. You will strengthen volunteer pathways create safe and welcoming spaces for members and carers and remove barriers so more people can take part.

You will also help us measure impact keep accurate records handle information safely and ensure our language materials and activities reflect our vision mission and people-centred approach. Through this work you will help grow SUFs membership and influence.

What you will need

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in coproduction mental health lived experience leadership or community development
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Experience

• Leading coproduction or livedexperience involvement
• Writing clear accessible reports
• Working collaboratively with partners staff and volunteers

Skills

• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Able to build trusting relationships and manage priorities
• Confident using Microsoft applications

Values

• Committed to SUFs values and peoplecentred approach
• Acts with integrity champions equality and diversity and is open to learning

Other

• Able to travel across Suffolk
• Flexible approach including occasional evenings or weekends

About us

Suffolk User Forum is an independent organisation led by lived experience. We make sure peoples real voices shape mental health services guided by the principle nothing about us without us. Our vision is for lived experience to be at the heart of mental health services. Our mission is to support people with lived experience including people in primary care secondary care and inpatient settings to influence service design delivery and decisions through inclusive co-created spaces.

Our strategy focuses on building community and connection embedding coproduction strengthening self-advocacy and growing membership supported by accessible engagement and strong partnerships.

What we will offer you

We are a small values-led charity with a big voice in Suffolk trusted for our integrity and our commitment to lived experience. You will join a warm supportive team where your judgement is respected your ideas are welcomed and your work leads to real change in mental health services. We offer flexibility meaningful relationships and the chance to shape a more compassionate system for the people of Suffolk.

For more information

Please read the Recruitment Pack (Word).

To find out more please get in touch with Jayne Stevens by calling .

How to apply

Please submit your completed Application Form (Word) and Equal Opportunities Form (Word) by email to .

You do not need to complete the Equal Opportunities form but you will help us by doing so. The information that you provide will stay confidential will be stored securely (separately from your application form) and will only be accessed by SUF staff who need to do so.

Closing date: 12 pm 10 July 2026

Interview date: 14 July 2026

Lived Experience panel date: 16 July 2026