Participation
At Z2K, participation means involving people with lived experience in our work so that we make better decisions, challenge injustice and create lasting change.
Participation means having a say in how Z2K works, and helping us influence the decisions of others. That could mean sharing feedback, taking part in research, helping to decide our priorities, or campaigning with us for change. People who go through the disability benefits process, live in poor temporary accommodation, resist bad landlords, or are failed by austerity politics, bring insight that cannot be gained from professional experience alone. That insight helps keep Z2K’s work grounded in real life.
You can read more about Z2K’s approach to participation and our plans for the future in our Participation Plan. You can also read about our 4 principles of participation.
Why your experience matters
Your personal experience helps shape stronger services at Z2K, more effective campaigns and better policy change. When people directly affected by poverty, injustice and unfair housing and social security systems are involved from the start, our charity is better able to understand what is happening, what barriers people face, and what change is most needed.
This helps us challenge the power imbalances that can push people into poverty. It also means our research and campaigning are more likely to reflect people’s priorities, needs and messages, rather than assumptions made on their behalf.
Z2K will always be clear about what decisions you can influence as an Expert by Experience, and we commit to reporting back on the impact your contribution has had. If we aren’t able to act on your contribution, we’ll explain why.
“There is always a sense that we are working with Z2K, not just being spoken for, which makes a big difference”
Ways to get involved
There are lots of ways to volunteer at Z2K as an Expert by Experience, and you do not need to commit to everything. Some activities are one-off, while others are ongoing, and we will always try to match involvement to your interests, experience and availability.
- Join a lived experience group. This is usually a regular opportunity to shape Z2K’s work alongside staff and other Experts by Experience.
- Take part in a focus group. These are often time-limited discussions on a specific issue, project or proposal.
- Share your story or feedback. You can help us understand what is working well and what needs to change.
- Help co-design projects or campaigns. You may be invited to shape ideas, messages, tools or plans from the earliest stages.
- Attend events. These may be in person or online, from panel discussions, meetings with MPs and decision-makers, report launches, and fundraising appeals.
We aim to make participation as accessible as possible. All activities are completely optional, and you are free to take a break, withdraw and request adjustments at any time. We recognise the contribution of Experts by Experience by sharing updates about the impact of involvement and at times offering gestures of thanks such as cards, certificates, gift vouchers, and access to training and development opportunities.
If you participate in Z2K’s work, it won’t have any effect on other support you receive from Z2K. Participation is separate from Z2K’s advice and casework services. This means you are free to get involved, step back, or raise concerns. It won’t affect your relationship with Z2K.
Support we offer to Experts by Experience
We want participation at Z2K to be inclusive, flexible and safe. That means we will work with you to remove barriers and adapt involvement so it suits your needs, whether that is through accessible formats, online or in-person options, or a different pace of engagement.
- We will make any adjustments needed so you feel comfortable and can take part in a way that works for you.
- We can cover reasonable costs linked to your involvement, such as travel, food, childcare, or mobile data.
- We may give small thank-you gifts, such as cards, certificates, or vouchers, to show our appreciation.
- We can provide interpreting services or language support if you need it.
- You can get involved in different ways, whether that’s a one-off activity, regular participation, online, in person, on your own, or as part of a group.
- Activities are trauma-informed, which means they are run in a sensitive and supportive way, with information about mental health and wellbeing support available if you need it.
- We have clear procedures in place to help keep everyone safe, guided by Z2K’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
- We provide opportunities for training and personal development related to your role or activities.
- You’ll be part of a welcoming and supportive environment and have the chance to meet others with similar experiences.
“Participation is extremely important to me. It gives me opportunities to fight back at weak and dangerous welfare and housing policy and legislation.”
The impact of Experts by Experience at Z2K
In 2025, we worked with 26 Experts by Experience, who:
Frequently-Asked-Questions
The term ‘Expert by Experience’ emerged from disability, mental health and survivor social movements in the UK, to refer to people drawing on their own lived experience to pioneer and lead meaningful social change.
It was created to address a persistent imbalance in how society values different forms of knowledge: the term ‘Expert by Experience’ challenges the assumption that expertise is held only by those with professional and academic experience, instead recognising the depth of understanding that comes from having lived through an issue firsthand.
We adopted this term at Z2K after consulting with Experts by Experience, and our 2025 consultation showed that it continues to be preferred by the majority.
We will regularly review our use of the term and introduce changes if needed to reflect the preference of people involved in our work.
Broadly, we work with people who have lived experience of either: unaffordable housing, the benefits system, accessing Z2K’s services as a client.
Usually, each participation opportunity will focus on a particular issue and may have specific criteria. Where that is the case, we will always clearly communicate what type of lived experience is relevant.
That said, we never reduce people to their lived experience. We see people as a whole, and we value everything that they bring to the table. We also respect each person’s individual lived experience, and we never expect one individual to represent a wider group.
We welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities to engage with Z2K’s work in ways that meet their needs. We ask all Experts by Experience to share a commitment to Z2K’s core value of inclusion, challenging discrimination, and celebrating difference.
If you’re not sure whether being an Expert by Experience is the right fit for you, get in touch: participation@z2k.org
All participation opportunities at Z2K are voluntary, flexible and there is no minimum time commitment.
When you first express interest in participating in Z2K’s work, we’ll arrange a 1:1 phone call with you to understand the support you need to get involved. Z2K will cover the cost of expenses related to your participation in our work, including:
- Travel costs
- Childcare costs
- Food/refreshment costs
- Data costs for online activities
If you need additional support not listed above, we’ll discuss this with you and confirm what support we can provide.
Z2K does not currently offer payment for participating in our work as an Expert by Experience. However, we commit to recognising the contribution of Experts by Experience by offering various gestures of thanks. This varies depending on the opportunity, but can include cards, certificates, gift vouchers, and access to training and development opportunities.
Occasionally, we are able to offer paid opportunities to lead or co-lead a project. When these opportunities arise, we will advertise them via our website and share them with Experts by Experience.
By governance, we mean how the charity is run. We want to make sure Experts by Experience have a say in decisions right up to the top of the charity.
Z2K has a core group of Experts by Experience who shape and influence decisions within the charity. This includes:
- Helping to shape Z2K’s strategy and goals
- Informing how the charity works with people with lived experience
- Inputting into Z2K’s brand and communications
- Sharing feedback on Z2K’s work
- Participating in interview panels for new members of staff, including the CEO and Senior Management Team
In Z2K’s Participation Plan, we have committed to monitoring lived experience representation in Z2K’s governance and taking steps to ensure over 50% lived experience representation by 2030. To help achieve this, in the coming year we will be:
- Co-developing a support programme for prospective trustees with lived experience to reduce barriers to joining and being an active part of the board of trustees, to demystify governance, and to offer a structured pathway for Experts by Experience who are interested in joining the Board of Trustees.
- Creating direct links between the Board of Trustees and Z2K’s core group of Experts by Experience to increase opportunities for the board of trustees to consider a range of lived experience perspectives in decision-making.
- Reviewing Board practices and implementing changes to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment. This will include reviewing recruitment practices, support available to trustees, Board packs, and the structure of Board meetings.
Participation means having a say in how Z2K works, and helping us influence the decisions of others. That could mean sharing feedback, taking part in research, helping to decide our priorities, or campaigning with us for change.
Through a series of conversations and workshops with Experts by Experience and staff, we have developed a set of principles of what good participation looks like for us:
- Having a clear purpose
- Sharing power
- Meeting each person where they are at
- Embedding hope
Read about the 4 principles of participation at Z2K in more detail.
Additional Wrap Around Support
We understand that alongside problems with your benefits and housing, there may be other matters that are impacting on your daily life. Our wrap around support can help with;
- Accessing grants for household items or white goods
- Accessing emergency food and fuel support
- Referrals to other services such as debt and employment advice
- Money management, benefits checks and income maximisation for example, applications for utility discounts
- Form filling for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC)
- Concessionary transport for example Freedom Pass, Taxicard and Blue Badge applications and appeals
- Post tenancy support for recently housed clients for example understanding your tenancy agreement, checking affordability, and ensuring housing costs are in payment
