The council are proactive in running national campaigns that are of importance to people in their communities. They are supported to identify the key issues and then develop a plan of activity and publicity in order to influence the right decision makers and drive the necessary changes.

They have met 5 times since being established in late 2020, have identified the main issues from their regions from the 25,737 people engaged, voted on the top issues and worked on solutions. The results of their work are being presented to decision makers at the ‘Coming Out of Covid – Solutions from the User Voice’ event being held on the 10th May.

The virtual events will bring together service user representatives and senior prison, probation, and health leaders in criminal justice. Council members will present the main issues facing prison, probation and prison healthcare as we move out of lockdown and into recovery. But more importantly, the council will offer a number of tangible solutions to these issues, highlighting the fundamental need for investment in peer supports and giving service users the power to help themselves.