The Lived Experience User Forum Officer will lead the development and facilitation of Nexus’ Lived Experience User Forum, creating a safe, welcoming and empowering space where people with lived experience of sexual abuse and abusive relationships can come together, connect with others, share their views and use their experiences to influence positive change.

The postholder will work directly and regularly with the User Forum group, primarily through in-person meetings and activities, building strong, trusting and positive relationships with members. They will bring energy, creativity and enthusiasm to the role, developing engaging ways for members to participate, express their views and identify the issues that matter to them.

A key focus of the role will be to support and develop members to advocate for themselves and others. This will include providing structured opportunities to develop confidence, knowledge and advocacy skills, helping members understand their rights, communicate their experiences and views effectively, and contribute to discussions about policy, services and the wider support and justice systems.

The postholder will support members to recognise that their lived experience is valuable expertise and that their voices can contribute to meaningful change. They will ensure members are supported to have influence while maintaining choice over what they share, how they participate and the level of involvement that feels right for them.

The User Forum will be a safe, voluntary, non-therapeutic and empowering space. The postholder will ensure clear boundaries are maintained between participation and therapeutic support and will work closely with Nexus’ counselling and aftercare teams where additional support or safeguarding concerns arise.

This role requires someone who is personable, approachable, emotionally intelligent and highly engaging, with the ability to build genuine working relationships with a diverse range of people. The successful candidate will be sensitive to the experiences and needs of members while also being confident enough to encourage participation, challenge appropriately and create opportunities for members to develop.

The ideal candidate will be creative, enthusiastic and full of ideas, with the ability to think differently about how people can participate and how lived experience can be translated into positive action and change.