The Art of (Lived Experience) Storytelling
- jamesapoole4
- Mar 11
- 6 min read
Voice: Libby Chandler, Freelance Content Creator, on behalf of VOICES Support CIC
What makes a good story? A descriptive setting that sets the mood, the main protagonist suffering with inner conflict, the triumph or shattering of character development, a plot twist to throw the audience into a state of shock, emotional relatability and everything and anything to increase the heart rate. We know what makes a good story. We all enjoy a good story.
But what makes a valuable story? Is it the story that provides the lens for us to see through another's eyes? One that allows us to truly understand and empathise with another's experience, so we can learn how to help others and do better. A new perspective, profound enough to encourage positive change. A story that sticks with us long after we close the book for the final time.
'We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.' - Inspector Goole, An Inspector Calls by J.B. PriestlyOn 5th February 2026, Changing Futures held an event at The Bond in Birmingham, focused on storytelling as a tool for systems change. Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) meticulously planned the day on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and The National Lottery Community Fund, the two leading funders of the Changing Futures programme — a 5-year initiative in England (2021-2026). The programme seeks to support adults with multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, domestic abuse and criminal justice system involvement. VOICES Support CIC, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), is proud to be a part of Changing Futures Surrey, and our team joined the event to learn how storytelling is vital in our work. The day started with a light-hearted icebreaker...
The game was swiftly followed by powerful reflections from Jenny Ewels, Head of Changing Futures at MHCLG, who spoke of perseverance and courage that have driven so much of Changing Futures' work over the years. The bravery and determination of the workforce gave Changing Futures the environment it needed to flourish. Tom Mcculloch, Head of Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, declared how proud the organisation is to be associated with Changing Futures, celebrating the successes.
Data Takeaways
Data is vital in our work and can serve as an influential storyteller. We need to take a step back from the numbers, shifting from abstract data to real-life experiences, and inject our data with meaning so it can be used to make practical, informed decisions. Jean Davis, Evaluation Data Lead, took to the stand to explain how Changing Futures' evaluation data can tell the programme's story. She mentioned qualitative evidence that brings human texture, such as case study fragments, quotes, practitioner insights, observations from fieldwork, maps, photos, videos, etc, as well as quantitative research from sources such as local case studies, local journey maps, user segmentation and place-specific stories, which show scale and/or pattern.
The data was incredibly revealing and could be applied to our own observations and experiences. 94% of Changing Futures participants who experienced drug or alcohol problems had also experienced a mental health issue. 83% of participants experienced four or more of the following problems: mental health issues, contact with the criminal justice system, domestic abuse, drug or alcohol issues and homelessness. Although not always guaranteed, Jean explained that stabilisation and early improvements are achievable, even when people have complex needs. Confidence-building, self-belief, self-care and activities can support a person to improve themselves and their life. The earlier the intervention... The better the chance of successful outcomes.
An individual's journey may not always fit the mould and progress can be non-linear. Evidence has shown positive change across people's lives after 12 months of support; 2 in 5 people reported an improved quality of life, 37.1% had an improved ability to manage their mental health, average A&E attendances reduced from 1 to 0.6 and 36.7% of participants said they were better able to cope with drugs or alcohol. Through operations such as the implementation of trauma-informed approaches, the utilisation of lived experience, training and workforce support, this success has been possible.
The conclusion was that fragmented services can work together, but progress requires the following:
Improved data sharing
Clear accountability
Consistent trauma-informed practice
Commitment from senior leaders
Fairytales from the Edge in Greater Manchester
The next segment introduced us to a thought-provoking film, Unseen Voices: Fairytales from the Edge. Unseen Voices is an artistic initiative developed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, alongside Changing Futures and BAD KAMRA. The project features the lived experiences of 12 people with multiple disadvantage and uses art, film and poetry to help improve local services.
An exhibition was held in 2023 by Unseen Voices, which gave people with lived experience a stage to pour their hearts onto. Ushiku Crisafulli, one of the participants of the project, shared his poetry at the exhibition, which was felt by those fortunate enough to have read it. When speaking about the project he said, 'Yet the metrics used to analyse multiple disadvantages often aren’t fit for purpose... Our lived experiences tell this story far better than spreadsheets ever could, and I was happy to lend my voice to this effort.'
Their most recent project, a film called Fairytales from the Edge, was released in 2025, and again, aims to highlight the lived experiences of people in Greater Manchester. Storytelling through different mediums not only helps the creators to voice their experiences, but it inspires hope in others, and encourages us all to reflect — how can we work together to improve services for people with multiple disadvantage?
Watch the full film here: FAIRYTALES FROM THE EDGE FILM
Legislative Theatre
Arts & Homelessness International showcased legislative theatre, which involves groups of homeless people and council workers staging improvised plays together to convey systemic obstacles. Their mission '... Works to bring positive change to people, projects and policy in the homelessness community through arts and creativity.' We were fortunate to learn about and see the initiative in action. Our very own Tanya C. got involved with Kendrick (🐾).
Legislative theatre is a branch of 'Theatre of the Oppressed' and began in Brazil in the 1990s. Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed emerged much earlier, in the late 1960s, and his theatrical experiences can be traced back to the 1950s. It is a methodology for co-production and co-creation, deeply concerned with democracy, and blends performance with policymaking to challenge injustice.
Arts & Homelessness International in action: Housing Rights and Arts & Homelessness Int Legislative Theatre - YouTube
Final Reflections
You could say that lived experience is an accumulation of stories. Stories that might be brief, others lengthy; some turbulent or plain sailing, all with their lessons and insights. From these tales, we can highlight mistakes and successes and, with these learnings, contribute to the design and delivery of services that are fit for purpose. An individual's encounters enable decision-makers to understand the real-world impact of their decisions. False and dominant narratives can be challenged, and equitable solutions can be sought moving forward.
Beyond the Changing Futures teams, it appears that co-design and delivery is not yet a core and defining part of everyday practice. We hope that despite the programme ending in March 2026 and the subsequent cessation of funding, that this life-changing work can continue and support will become increasingly available for those who fall short of eligibility checklists and who cannot navigate their way across the fragmented services terrain. VOICES Support CIC will carry this goal forward, focused and dedicated to giving a voice to the voiceless.
This event brought home the success of Changing Futures and allowed us to reflect on the long-lasting impact of Changing Futures Surrey. We know that our stories here are valuable. They are specific and hard-hitting — they shake the generalities and assumptions made about people with multiple disadvantage. We understand what is at stake and work alongside people to create sincere change. Emotional honesty will always have its place and without it, we fail to connect and build trusting relationships that make an impact. Our work reveals a gentle truth... Meaningful change can happen if we take the time to listen to each other.
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