Title: The Library of Lived Experience for Mental Health: Developing a programme theory and implementation plan
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Our aim is to develop a living library for mental health in the North. Living libraries facilitate people with lived experience of mental health difficulties (books) to share their expertise with others facing similar difficulties, carers and healthcare staff (readers). Living libraries have been offered as one off events around the world, across a range of healthcare settings, with some reported benefits, but no rigorous evaluation. We will examine the likely impacts, and underlying mechanisms of living libraries. We will co-design an implementation plan to inform a definitive evaluation of a living library for mental health delivered in context across the North. In work-stream 1 we will conduct a realist synthesis to develop our programme theory of the impacts of living libraries, for who, why and in what context. We will draw on relevant theories, review relevant literature (including grey literature and intervention protocols); and conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including people who have previously taken part in a living library. In work-stream 2 we will establish a multi-stakeholder group including staff working in NHS/third sector services, people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and carers. We will facilitate a Co-design process drawing on expertise within this group, and the programme theory developed in work-stream 1, to develop an implementation plan for a living library, including: how it will be funded; where it will be hosted; how books will be recruited, trained and supported; and how readers will access the library. Patients and public have been involved in the study design, are embedded in the research team, included an Expert Group set up to oversee the study, and have a key role in the co-design group. We are applying for Tier3 rfpb funding as this study is upstream research that is needed to inform a subsequent definitive evaluation.

Lay abstract: People with lived experience of mental health difficulties are often best placed to help others. We will explore whether a living library helps people share lived experiences. Here, people are employed as living books, trained and supported to share their experiences in one-to-one conversations. Readers are people seeking to learn about mental health to help themselves, a loved one, or they might be staff. Readers choose a book based on a short author summary. They are encouraged to ask the book about anything they want to understand better. The book tries to help them, drawing on their own experiences, but choosing not to answer if they wish. Books can be employed flexibly allowing a broad range of people to contribute across ethnic, gender, sexuality and age groups, and including those in work or with caring responsibilities. Our team includes people with lived experience, staff, and researchers. We will draw together data from living libraries internationally, and interview people who took part in them. We will learn about the effects (positive and negative) on books, and readers, how these came about, and any differences found between libraries. Using this learning, and drawing on expertise from NHS staff, third sector organisations, and lived experience networks, we will co-design a living library for mental health across the North. This will be done in a series of workshops (face-to-face and online) using creative methods. We will establish a collaborative network to apply for further funding to deliver and evaluate how well the living library can improve mental health outcomes across the North. People with lived experience have designed the study as part of the research team, and will have lead roles in managing the project, facilitating the co-design process and in the Expert Group overseeing the study.

Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH