Announcement: Annual Learning Review 2021
We are pleased to announce the launch of Fulfilling Lives LSL’s Annual Learning Review 2021. This Review demonstrates what we have learnt about making services easier to access, and how we can ensure all experiences and opinions are included. The way we work enables us to test and learn new approaches to service delivery.
The London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham have a disproportionate number of people experiencing multiple disadvantage and we provide a critical local lens for the FL national programme.
In 2020 we – like many others – reflected on how things might be done differently, particularly in light of clear inequalities highlighted in the pandemic. We explore the idea that this is the right time to change the system for the better and that there’s ‘No turning back’ (page 3). This theme is reinforced in ‘System Thinking’ (page 4) as understanding how the system works using tools such as the Systems Change Map.
We are very proud of our blended workforce which combines people with lived and learned experience and ‘Co-production’ (page 9) describes how we give equal value to the voices of both decision makers and people we support. This includes our– ‘Experts by Experience Champions’– a new role we’ve created to recognise the impact and importance of volunteers with lived experience.
We work with women experiencing multiple disadvantage across Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark and understand the specific barriers they face. ‘Are systems failing women?’ (page 10) shows how women experience challenges in areas such as safety and privacy which were reflected in the Dame Carol Black Independent Review of Drugs. In ‘Multiple disadvantage and people involved in sex work’ (page 12) we find that women facing multiple disadvantage are at higher risk of exploitation and abuse.
We have identified the importance of ‘Building relationships’ (page 13) as people we support often face personal trauma and find it difficult to form trusting relationships. This means that people who may find it particularly difficult to form relationships are required to form many.
Throughout 2020 we provided direct support to 54 people experiencing multiple disadvantages from Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. Delivering these services enables us to hear directly from people who need support, ‘Learning through experience’ (page 16).
Our support is underpinned by an informed understanding of trauma, gender and culture.
Read the Annual Learning Review 2021 here.
Why not have a look at our socials? We will be sharing key areas from the Annual Learning Review on our Twitter and launching a campaign on LinkedIn.
Fulfilling Lives Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham (LSL) is part of The National Lottery Community Fund’s national Fulfilling Lives programme dedicated to making a difference for people experiencing multiple disadvantage including homelessness, mental ill-health, contact with the criminal justice system and substance use.