When Yasmina first joined Depaul UK’s Client Involvement programme, she was looking to build her confidence, meet new people and improve her communication skills. 

Since then, she’s worked with the BBC to share her story, completed a residential stay with other Client Reps, and has spoken in front of over 400 people at an event. 

Alongside this, she has also attended quarterly service committee meetings alongside trustees and senior leaders, helping to review policies with another Client Rep. “Knowing that my lived experience could help shape policies and improve services was incredibly rewarding,” says Yasmina. 

Last month, Yasmina once again showcased her public speaking skills, sharing her Client Rep experience at Depaul International’s webinar, Client Involvement in Practice. 

The webinar, which brought together staff from around the world, showcased approaches to client involvement at the Depaul Group. Through examples from Depaul UK, Depaul Croatia, Depaul Slovakia and Depaul Ireland, the webinar explored how those with lived experience of homelessness are influencing service delivery, supporting their peers, and shaping public understanding of homelessness. 

At the Depaul Group, our commitment to client involvement isn’t just about strategic priority. It’s deeply embedded in our approach, which sees those accessing our services supported with dignity and compassion. Client involvement is also linked to our values, as we recognise the potential of each and every person we support. 

Jelena Višić, who manages Depaul Croatia’s day centre, kicked off the webinar by sharing how the team creates opportunities for clients to get involved. “We don’t involve people simply because a policy says that we should,” she shared. “We involve them because of their experience… we are creating spaces where people can be unique and they can participate as equal members of the community rather than being defined by the service they receive.” 

At Depaul Croatia, this means creating opportunities for people to contribute and express their opinions. The team also runs a drama group, where clients, volunteers and staff all perform together. Everyone has a role, everyone contributes, and everyone depends on each other. 

Elsewhere, the Depaul Group’s clients are playing an important role in raising awareness of homelessness. Depaul Slovakia produce a podcast, ‘The Street is Not a Home,’ with each episode focusing on a specific topic relating to homelessness. “In almost every episode, a client shares their experience either through recorded interview or by taking part directly in the discussion,” said Katarína Valčeková, Community Organiser at Depaul Slovakia. “We believe that discussions about homelessness should include those with lived experience.” 

These discussions also include advocating for change at the political level, including holding panel events ahead of elections, which take place in Depaul Slovakia’s low-threshold shelter. “It was a public event and everybody could ask questions, including to our clients, candidates for mayor or candidates to Parliament.” With elections scheduled for autumn, the team are hoping they can organise another panel event. 

Client involvement at Depaul also sees those with lived experience directly supporting those experiencing homelessness with deep understanding and compassion. At Depaul Ireland, their Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) programme sees peer advocates supporting those experiencing homelessness to make and attend health appointments. The aim of the HHPA programme is to reduce hospitalisations due to missed appointments and empower people to take control of their healthcare.  

Aislinn Kennealy is a Peer Advocate for HHPA programme, and explained the impact that accompanying people to appointments can have. “Just every little step can be so big for a person, and down the line gives them the confidence that they can eventually independently go to appointments and say, Aislinn, thanks for the help, but I don’t need you anymore because now I feel like I can actually do it.” 

Ending the webinar, Aislinn summed up the importance of client involvement: “my lived experience isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s something that can help people.”