SGS Engagement and Development

My name is Kettle (it/she/he/they) and I work at the Clare Project as the Sussex Gender Service Engagement and Development Worker. This means I speak with those who are service users of Sussex Gender Service, getting feedback on their experience and utilising this to build and improve the Sussex Gender Service.

As well as taking feedback, I can answer questions you may have about the Sussex Gender Service, such as what to expect in your appointments. If you need more support, I can refer you to my Care Navigator colleagues. You can find out more about the support available from them here. I am employed by The Clare Project and work closely with the Sussex Gender Service, but am independent of the NHS.

You can contact me at any time via my email: kettle@clareproject.org.uk. You can let me know any specific comments including what went well or where there is room for improvement, or you can just let me know your name and pronouns, and I will let you know what opportunities for feedback are available.

Alternatively, you can fill out this short form and I will be in touch. If you have capacity, I will then organise a short interview with you. This can look very different depending on what works for you. It could be: a phone call; video call; email chain; video call with camera off and use the chat function; meet in person, or any other route that allows you to share feedback with me.

As a service user of Sussex Gender Service, you are eligible to apply to be an Expert by Experience – a paid casual role which contributes to community input on the service. You can ask me anything about this and how it works. You can stay updated with how to get involved, as well as what feedback is currently being implemented on the SGS Padlet.

Expert by Experience FAQs

What is it?

A casual role for those with lived experience of a particular service to provide feedback, building to create a person-centered approach for all service users.

How does it work?

You can apply to specific roles including a focus group to give your opinion on a range of resources and topics relating to the running of the Sussex Gender Service.

Once accepted as a member of the focus group, you will meet with the other EbEs alongside Kettle and the Brighton & Hove participation lead (Laura) once a month for an hour to work through the agenda for that meeting. There is often paid pre-work before the focus group such as looking at a website or reading a leaflet.

Is it paid?

The training (2-3 hours) is not paid. Once you are then signed up as an EbE, you will be able to apply for roles that you are interested in and have lived experience of. Payment for roles currently is £13.57 p/h.

How do I sign up?

Fill in an expression of interest form and email it to spft.brightonhoveparticipation@nhs.net.

If you need support in filling it in, you can email kettle@clareproject.org.uk.

I have lived experience of other services can I be an EbE for them?

Once you have completed the EbE training you can access Assemble, which allows you to apply for trust-wide roles.