Lived Experience Consultant

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

In Justice, we work with young people and adults in custody and in the community, providing a range of services including offender management and resettlement, mentoring, veterans in custody, victim services, gangs work and youth justice. We believe that with effective support mechanisms and the correct interventions, we can change service user’s ideology, helping them desist from crime and reach their true potential.

Catch22 is seeking passionate and creative individuals to join our Justice Hub as Creative Consultants. This is an exciting opportunity to use your lived experience of the criminal justice system to help shape, design, and influence the future of justice services.

As part of our Justice Studio (Experts by Experience), you will bring your unique perspective, creativity, and insight to co-design workshops, consultations, and service development sessions. Working closely with Catch22 staff and other consultants, you’ll help ensure our services are inclusive, trauma-informed, and truly reflect the voices of those impacted by the justice system.

In this role, you’ll contribute to the design of programmes and interventions, provide feedback on existing models, and help develop creative materials such as campaigns, videos, or written resources. You may also support the recruitment and mentoring of new consultants and act as an ambassador for lived experience leadership in justice reform.

This is sessional work, with bi-monthly three-hour workshops (paid at £100 per session) and travel expenses covered. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive network committed to driving real and lasting change across the justice sector.

Qualifications

Requirements

Lived experience of the criminal justice system (directly or through a close family member); Passion for social justice and using experience to drive positive change; Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in creative settings; Reliability, time management, and commitment to professional development

Nice to have

Experience in creative fields such as writing, media, spoken word, art, or design; Experience in public speaking, peer mentoring, or advocacy; Understanding of trauma-informed or co-production approaches