Lived experience

Get involved and make meaningful change

The West Yorkshire Paths lived experience group is made up of a group of women and birthing parents who have experienced birth trauma and/or baby loss. Their insight has helped us shape our service so that it is accessible, meaningful and representative of the communities we support. We believe that lived experience is one of the most powerful forms of expertise. The voices of those who have navigated birth trauma and/or baby loss, and faced challenges to their mental health as a result, are essential in creating services that can understand, support, and empower parents and families.

By joining our lived experience group, you can help shape the future of maternal mental health care within our team. Your insights can guide how we design our services, support parents, and influence the training we provide to staff. Lived experience offers a depth of understanding that complements professional knowledge. When you share your story with us, you not only help strengthen the support we offer—you also help break silence and stigma, offering reassurance and hope to others who may be struggling.

If you feel ready to use your experience to make a positive impact, we would like to hear from you. Your voice matters, and together we can build a service shaped by the people it exists to support. We are interested in hearing from women and birthing parent’s within West Yorkshire who have experienced birth trauma and/or baby loss from a range of diverse backgrounds.

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Hello, my name is Patricia, and I am a proud mother of three beautiful children.

My journey through motherhood has been far from easy. For over a decade, I have had to fight through numerous challenges. I have experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. I also endured the heartbreak of losing my two eldest children to the foster care system for nine months. Along the way, I have navigated various mental health services and have been diagnosed with complex PTSD.

I am deeply passionate about peer support. I believe that lived experience holds immense value in bridging the gap between professionals and patients, ensuring that everyone receives the level of care they deserve. Walking alongside others who are now travelling similar paths—offering guidance and support—has been, and continues to be, an honour.

I firmly believe that positive change is possible when we draw upon our lived experiences. I have been directly involved in supporting the Paths team in shaping their new service, offering consultation on their pathways and resources. In particular, I have contributed to ensuring that leaflets and videos addressing birth trauma and tokophobia are grounded in trauma-informed language—sensitive to individual circumstances, inclusive, and accessible. This work helps to reduce stigma and ensures that people feel supported, wherever they are on their journey.

I hope this work benefits new parents as they embark on their own journeys. Becoming a parent can be terrifying, but please remember: you are not alone. The services now available have been shaped by people with lived experience, helping to ensure that the care provided is compassionate, informed, and truly supportive.