The Environmental Justice framework highly recommends the appointment of a person to carry out the role as a ‘Lived Experience Lead’. As co-production initiatives develop in private, public and community sectors, there is a growing number of people with expertise in co-production practice who are in a position to share learnings and advise others and their associated projects on how to co-produce (‘a Lived Experience Lead’).

A Lived Experience Lead is a person with lived experience of a social issue and experience of co-producing projects. For example, Cheshire West Voluntary Action has a Lived Experienced Lead, operating on a consultative basis, who holds lived experience of poverty and experience of co-producing a range of projects with the Local Authority, such as the Poverty Truth Commission. For the purposes of the Environmental Justice Framework, a Lived Experience Lead should hold lived experience of social marginalisation, knowledge and awareness of environmental justice, and, where possible, previous experience of co-producing a project.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action has created a Local Voices Network supporting organisations to access prospective lived experience leads, and details can be accessed by contacting Cheshire West Voluntary Action.  A Lived Experience Lead is recommended to co-lead the delivery of each stage of the Environmental Justice Framework and will be referred to throughout. It is possible to engage with the Framework without the Lived Experience Lead but it is considered the most effective means of ensuring a level of co-production at every stage.