Royal British Legion: Lived Experience Panel
Background & context
M·E·L Research was commissioned by the Royal British Legion (RBL) to co‑design and deliver a pilot Lived Experience Panel. The pilot aimed to test whether a structured panel of people with lived experience of the Armed Forces community could meaningfully inform RBL’s campaigns, policy and research work. The model was delivered over a short, intensive period to “test and learn” during live organisational strategy projects. The pilot explored feasibility, impact, support needs, and the potential for scaling or embedding the approach.
Approach
M·E·L Research supported recruitment, developed and delivered all training, and provided ongoing support and coordination for panel members throughout the pilot. Training covered social research, trauma‑informed practice, safeguarding, ethics and practical application. A mixed-method feedback approach was used, including reflective Padlet entries, pre/post forms, catch‑up chats, and end‑point interviews with panel members and RBL staff.
Panel members were provided with pre-reading, check‑ins, session scheduling support, and a single point of contact. Between August and November, members applied their learning through involvement in three live research and policy projects, hearing impairment recommendations, Armed Forces Covenant work, and social care mapping. M·E·L captured what worked well, what didn’t, and the resources required to deliver and sustain this model.
Outputs
- A fully delivered recruitment, training and support process for 10 panel members, including online and in‑person training.
- A structured set of learning materials: slide decks, bite‑size modules, handbooks, and session recordings.
- A detailed final report outlining learning, impact, resource requirements, and recommendations for future delivery.
- Clear options for three delivery models (externally managed, hybrid, internally led) with practical considerations for inclusion, sustainability and scalability.
- Evidence demonstrating positive impact on panel members (skills, confidence, connection) and benefits to RBL (stronger insights, improved materials, early cultural shift towards embedding lived experience).
Client Testimonial
“We worked with M·E·L Research on an evaluation to support how lived experience is embedded within our campaigns, policy and research team, and how it could be scaled more widely. The experience was positive, with the team demonstrating a strong understanding of our organisational context and objectives from the outset.
“Throughout the project, Emily and Sophie were proactive, well organised and genuinely invested in the work. They engaged stakeholders effectively, particularly through their work with our lived experience panel, and created a supportive and structured process that enabled participants to contribute meaningfully.
“The evaluation produced outputs that are already informing our work and next steps. The findings have provided us with clear, practical insight and a stronger evidence base to guide future decision‑making in this area.”
Latest News
Industry Insights
Women’s health social research: We’ve talked about the problems. Now let’s do something about them.
October 2026
It was an absolute honour to attend the Women’s Health Conference in London this week, bringing together clinicians, policymakers, campaigners and others passionate about improving women’s health.
As a researcher specialising in women’s health social research, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn, be challenged and exchange ideas with people who share that passion. And I wasn’t disappointed.
There has (quite rightly) been a lot of discussion recently about the gender health gap. But some of the evidence shared…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
Collections inside and out: thinking differently about gardens, heritage and the visitor experience
September 2026
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
Elliot Simmonds to present at Collections Inside & Out Symposium
September 2026
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
Read the full post
M·E·L News
M·E·L Research recognised for outstanding contribution to social value and ethical research
August 2026
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
Read the full post
Industry Insights
Progress, persistence and the gaps in suicide prevention knowledge
August 2026
New UK-wide research from M·E·L Research’s SPARK report shows improving mental health indicators alongside continuing exposure to suicide, widespread lifetime suicidal thoughts and significant gaps in practical knowledge.
Suicide prevention depends on understanding not only how many people are affected, but also how confident the public feel about recognising risk, starting difficult conversations and finding appropriate support. The Spring 2026 SPARK report from M·E·L Research brings these issues together, providing a detailed picture of attitudes…
Read the full post
