"It's the Service User who should be at the forefront of the Service"

As an integral part of our commitment to Service User Involvement Richmond Fellowship ensures that Service Users are fully involved in RF’s rolling programme of Service Reviews as Peer Assessors. This recent feedback from a Peer Assessor describes some of the benefits of getting involved from a personal perspective.

Q1: Why did you want to become a Service User Peer Assessor?
Peer Assessor: I would like to give Service Users a voice, and I am also very interested in working in this type of role. So I’m using it to lessen my anxiety, build confidence and gain experience

Q2: What did you enjoy about being a Peer Assessor?
Peer Assessor: I really enjoyed being able to interview Service Users and get their true and honest opinion about the Service that they were involved in

Q3: What have you learned from being a Peer Assessor?
Peer Assessor: That I can actually accept challenges and see them through without being terrified all the time. It’s also nice to see how RF works on the inside!

Q4: What did you not enjoy about being a Peer Assessor?
Peer Assessor: Nothing. I enjoyed every single moment!

Q5: Why do you think it’s important to involve Service Users as Peer Assessors in Service Reviews?
Peer Assessor: After all the box ticking and paper work is done it’s the Service User who should be at the forefront of the Service. Having a Peer Assessor there means that the Service User will hopefully be encouraged to talk more openly about how they feel about the Service that is being delivered to them.

For more information about Service User Involvement opportunities please contact Tanya Samuels in Performance and Quality: Tanya.Samuels@richmondfellowship.org.uk