At Refugee Action we don't just talk about lived experience leadership - we try to live it. We have recently manged to increase the number of lived experience leaders on the Insight to Action advisory group. The support of our existing advisory group members has meant that this isn’t just about increasing numbers, but about creating real, meaningful change that represents and celebrates the diverse nature of our sector.
It started with a simple idea — to replace a member of our advisory group who stepped down. But then we thought, why stop there? What if we brought in more lived experience, more voices, more diversity? Could we build on what we already have and make it even better?
The Insight to Action Advisory Group was already full of amazing people — leaders, experts, activists — all deeply committed to justice and inclusion in the refugee and migration sector. When I first stepped into my role leading Insight to Action, I was a little intimidated. But from day one, I felt nothing but support. Every single member really believed in the programme. Their understanding of the communities they serve. Their leadership. I was honestly so proud to be part of it.
I also feel proud to work at Refugee Action, where we don’t just talk about lived experience leadership — we try to live it. Two-thirds of the Insight to Action team have lived experience, and this moment was an opportunity to embed that in our governance. But I wasn’t sure. Would anyone be interested? Insight to Action isn’t a big project. We send out surveys to help the sector process and respond to emerging issues — and sometimes we struggle to get people to complete them. So I didn’t expect a huge response.
But wow — I was wrong.
The number of applications we received was honestly overwhelming. So many incredible people. So much depth, insight, leadership, and passion. It was easily the most difficult shortlisting process I’ve ever been part of. I didn’t want to say no to anyone. We recruited more than we planned to. And I still wish we could’ve brought more on board. Everyone we selected has lived experience — and they all bring something powerful. It was heartwarming to see how much this programme meant to people. The applicants wanted to make Insight Hub stronger, to help us reach grassroots groups and to better reflect the voices of those with lived experience and those in deep solidarity.
Our recent Insight Hub surveys show that people with lived experience are still underrepresented in leadership roles across the sector. I know change takes time, and resources are tight — but even with limited capacity, we can do more. I was genuinely moved by our existing Advisory Group members — incredibly busy leaders who are already thinking about how to welcome and support the new members. Different voices and perspectives don’t just make our work stronger — they make it richer, more creative and more human. Despite the many challenges we face in this sector, there’s so much beauty, energy, and joy in our diversity. That’s why I love this work.
And that’s what this new chapter of the Advisory Group feels like to me: a joyful, hopeful step forward. I can’t wait to see what we create together.
