Finding My Voice: my journey on the Editorial Panel

Our lovely, Peer Worker, Karen kindly shares her experience of joining the Editorial Panel, during her time as a learner at Barnsley Recovery College, and how she discovered her voice and a new found confidence!

“When I first joined the editorial panel at Barnsley Recovery and Wellbeing College, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew I wanted to be involved, but I wasn’t confident about what I could contribute. Thankfully, I had a lot of support at the beginning. I was guided through the process, helped to understand what was expected of me, and encouraged to share my thoughts.

Being part of the panel gave me the chance to practice reading and reviewing course content. I learned how to think critically about what I was reading and how to bring ideas and suggestions to the meetings. At first, it felt like a big step but over time, it became more natural. I started to find my voice and feel more confident in sharing my thoughts.

What made the experience truly exciting was being part of shaping future courses. I didn’t have to write a course myself to make a difference. Just being part of the conversation, offering feedback, sharing insights, and helping to shape the direction was incredibly rewarding.

Now, I’m proud to be part of setting up the Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery and Wellbeing College editorial panel. The experience I gained in Barnsley has given me a strong foundation. I’ve grown in confidence, developed new skills, and learned the value of collaboration. Most importantly, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when lived experience helps shape learning.”