Service User Involvement at Wirral Ways
Your voice matters
At Wirral Ways, the people who use our services are at the heart of everything we do.
Your experiences, ideas and feedback help shape how our services run now and how they grow in the future.
Service User Involvement is about more than giving feedback. It’s about partnership, shared learning, and making sure our services reflect what people really need.
How Service User Involvement works
We have a dedicated Service User Involvement team made up of people with lived experience.
Service User Representatives bring the voices of people who use our services into local, regional and national conversations. They take part in management meetings, service development discussions and governance activity to make sure service user perspectives are heard clearly and consistently.
Our representatives are supported by Service User Involvement Leads and Coordinators, who help make sure feedback is shared with the right people and, most importantly, that it leads to meaningful change.
Many people involved tell us that Service User Involvement feels empowering, builds confidence, and plays a positive role in their own recovery journey
Ways you can get involved
There are lots of ways to have your say at Wirral Ways. You can get involved as little or as much as feels right for you.
Share your feedback
Your feedback helps us improve. Whether it’s a suggestion, a concern, or an idea for something new, we want to hear from you.
You can share feedback by:
Talking to your worker
Speaking with a Service User Representative
Contacting your Service Manager
Every piece of feedback is valued and helps shape how we work.
Ways you can get involved
Complete the PULSE Survey
The PULSE Survey is one of our key ways of gathering feedback from people who use our services.
It’s quick, confidential, and gives you a chance to tell us honestly about your experience, what’s going well, and what could be better. We use the results to identify themes, improve services, and track changes over time.
When you complete the PULSE Survey, you are directly influencing how Wirral Ways develops.
Join a Service User Forum
Our Service User Forums are regular, welcoming spaces where people can come together to share views, raise issues, and hear about upcoming projects and changes.
Forums give you the opportunity to:
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Talk openly about your experiences
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Help shape future services and activities
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Hear how feedback is being used
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Connect with others who use our services
Everyone’s voice is welcome, and you can attend as often as you like.
Be part of the Lived Experience Network (LEN)
The Lived Experience Network (LEN) connects people with lived experience across Wirral and beyond.
It’s a great way to get involved at a wider level, supporting campaigns, sharing insight, and influencing change across systems and services. The LEN operates independently from Wirral Ways and is facilitated by Wirral Mind.
Getting involved with the LEN can help amplify your voice and create change beyond one service or organisation.
Latest Service User Involvement Updates
Service User Forum Update – February 2026
On 25 February 2026, we held our latest Service User Forum at our Price Street Hub in Birkenhead. The forum was facilitated by Jenny Bibby (Service User Representative Volunteer) and Jacob Jones (Service User Involvement Lead), with people who use our service coming...
Join us for our next Service User Forum
Join us at one of our upcoming Service User Forums. Have your say. Help shape the future. If you use one of our services, we would love you to get involved.Our Service User Forums are a friendly, supportive space where people who use Wirral Ways services can come...
Join our next Service User Forum!
Your space to be heard
Our Service User Forums are a friendly, supportive space where people who use Wirral Ways services can come together, share their views, and help shape what we do next.
Whether you have feedback, ideas, or just want to listen and learn more about what’s happening across the service, you are very welcome.
What to expect
A relaxed, non-judgemental environment
Open conversation about what’s working and what could be better
Updates on service developments and upcoming projects
A chance to influence real change at Wirral Ways
You do not need to prepare anything in advance and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
Forum dates and locations
Wednesday 18th March
12pm to 2pm
Brighton Street Hub, Wallasey
If you use a Wirral Ways service and would like to attend, just turn up on the day or speak to your worker or a Service User Representative to find out more.
Your voice matters, and we would love to hear from you.
You said...we did!
January 2026
You said:
Housing and joined-up support could be stronger.
We did:
We strengthened partnership working and improved signposting for housing and family support.
What this means for you:
You receive more connected support around your wider needs.
December 2025
You said:
Keyworker changes and detox waits are frustrating.
We did:
We strengthened handovers and improved how we communicate detox timelines and updates.
What this means for you:
Changes feel better managed and clearer.
November 2025
You said:
Detox waits and medication explanations need clarity.
We did:
We introduced clearer detox milestones and improved how we explain medication decisions.
What this means for you:
You feel more informed and involved in your care.
You said:
I receive too many texts.
We did:
We reviewed communication preferences and reduced unnecessary messages.
What this means for you:
Contact feels supportive, not overwhelming.
October 2025
You said:
Staff are empathetic and lived experience helps.
We did:
We protected trauma-informed, relationship-based practice across the team.
What this means for you:
Support continues to feel understanding and respectful.
You said:
Groups can feel intimidating and detox could be quicker.
We did:
We standardised group delivery and strengthened detox communication and updates.
What this means for you:
Groups feel calmer and detox information is clearer.
September 2025
You said:
Keyworker relationships matter and I want continuity.
We did:
We reduced avoidable worker changes and strengthened handovers.
What this means for you:
You experience more consistent and stable support.
You said:
Communication and follow-up can be confusing.
We did:
We strengthened communication standards and proactive updates.
What this means for you:
You feel clearer about what is happening and what comes next.
You said:
Detox waits feel long.
We did:
We clarified timelines and improved updates during waiting periods.
What this means for you:
You have clearer expectations and fewer surprises.
You said:
Human contact matters.
We did:
We confirmed that digital tools support staff but do not replace face-to-face care.
What this means for you:
You still have access to real people and real conversations.
August 2025
You said:
Staff are compassionate and groups are life-changing.
We did:
We protected relational support and maintained structured recovery activities, including female-led gym sessions.
What this means for you:
The support that makes a difference remains consistent and safe.
You said:
Phone access and group cancellations are frustrating.
We did:
We strengthened reception standards, improved group cover planning, and trained more staff and volunteers to deliver sessions.
What this means for you:
It is easier to reach us and groups run more reliably.
You said:
More one-to-one time and flexible access would help.
We did:
We reviewed caseloads and explored flexible options such as home visits where appropriate.
What this means for you:
Support is more accessible and responsive to your needs.
February 2025
You said:
Staff passion and human connection matter.
We did:
We protected relationship-based practice and continued reflective supervision for staff.
What this means for you:
You continue receiving compassionate, human support.
You said:
I want more involvement in shaping the service.
We did:
We expanded co-production and invited more people to be involved in service design.
What this means for you:
You have a stronger voice in how support is delivered.
January 2025
You said:
Alcohol support is valuable and I feel supported.
We did:
We maintained structured alcohol pathways and personalised care planning.
What this means for you:
You continue receiving steady, focused support.
You said:
Communication could be clearer.
We did:
We improved reminders, proactive follow-up and clearer information about next steps.
What this means for you:
You feel more confident about what is happening and when.
You said:
I have been in treatment long-term.
We did:
We reviewed longer-term support plans to make sure goals remain meaningful and relevant.
What this means for you:
Support stays purposeful and tailored to your progress.
November 2024
You said:
Alcohol support is helpful and I am satisfied.
We did:
We protected our structured alcohol pathway and continued delivering person-centred support.
What this means for you:
Alcohol support remains strong, consistent and focused on your goals.
September 2024
You said:
Staff are welcoming and the service feels safe.
We did:
We protected trauma-informed, person-led practice and shared your positive feedback with staff.
What this means for you:
You can access support in an environment that feels safe and respectful.
You said:
Wellbeing groups are valued.
We did:
We protected women-specific groups and complementary therapies as key parts of our offer.
What this means for you:
The wellbeing support you value remains available.
You said:
Police visits at sites can feel unsettling.
We did:
We work closely with police to reduce disruption. Where possible, we request plain clothes and ask that they avoid waiting areas.
What this means for you:
We aim to keep our sites calm and minimise distress.
You said:
Medication decisions need clearer explanations.
We did:
We strengthened how we explain alcohol medication options and ensured decisions are discussed clearly and collaboratively.
What this means for you:
You better understand your treatment and feel more involved in decisions.
You said:
Reception waiting times can be frustrating.
We did:
We reviewed reception processes and made sure staff are notified as soon as you arrive.
What this means for you:
Access feels smoother and more organised.
July 2024
You said:
Having the same keyworker long-term really helps.
We did:
We prioritised continuity wherever possible and strengthened handovers. If a change is needed, we offer a joint handover session with both workers.
What this means for you:
You experience more stable, trusting support relationships.
You said:
Detox feels slow and medical checks are unclear.
We did:
We improved how we explain detox stages and why medical checks are needed, and we strengthened support and updates while people wait.
What this means for you:
You better understand the process and feel safer while planning detox.
You said:
More school-hours and local groups would help.
We did:
We reviewed timetables, explored flexible options, and ran Intuitive Recovery courses during school hours to support parents.
What this means for you:
Support fits better around family life and responsibilities.
You said:
Travel costs are a barrier.
We did:
We promoted travel support options and reviewed service locations to reduce access barriers.
What this means for you:
Cost and distance are less likely to prevent you from getting support.
May 2024
You said:
Staff are caring and groups like Health Huddle and reiki really help.
We did:
We protected our wellbeing groups and continued investing in compassionate, trauma-informed support. We also shared this positive feedback with staff and volunteers to recognise the difference they make.
What this means for you:
The groups you value stay available, and our team knows their work is appreciated.
You said:
There should be more local groups and clearer updates when waiting.
We did:
We reviewed group demand, improved how we track waiting times, and introduced additional groups across our sites, including Wallasey.
What this means for you:
You receive clearer updates and improved access closer to home.
You said:
Travel and lack of printed information make it harder to engage.
We did:
We increased printed resources, promoted travel support options, and strengthened signposting to partner services.
What this means for you:
It is easier to access information in a way that works for you and overcome practical barriers.
You said:
Act on feedback and involve us more.
We did:
We expanded co-production opportunities, started publishing regular “You Said, We Did” updates, and recruited new Service User Representative Volunteers.
What this means for you:
You can see how your feedback shapes the service and have more opportunities to get involved.
April 2024
You said:
Staff are kind, respectful and non-judgemental. Support feels personal and structured.
We did:
We continued to prioritise trauma-informed, relationship-based support. We kept strong access to one-to-one sessions and wellbeing groups, and we regularly review recovery plans with you to make sure support stays right for your needs.
What this means for you:
Your support is built around you, with clear and structured options to help you move forward.
You said:
It can be hard to get through on the phone.
We did:
We strengthened reception cover, improved call handling systems, and increased staff and volunteer capacity to make it easier to contact us.
What this means for you:
It should now be easier and quicker to reach us when you need support.
You said:
Some groups feel inconsistent or uncomfortable.
We did:
We introduced clearer group plans and better cover arrangements so sessions run consistently, even during staff leave.
What this means for you:
Groups should feel safer, more predictable and better structured.
You said:
Changes in workers and lack of follow-up affect trust.
We did:
We reduced avoidable worker changes, improved handovers when changes are necessary, and introduced routine check-ins during waiting times and after discharge.
What this means for you:
You feel more informed and supported, especially during transitions.
Forum Minutes
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Last Updated on 26 February 2026

