Social policy is often constructed and implemented by people who have little experience of its impact as a service user, but there has been a growing interest in greater public, patient and service user involvement in social policy as both political activity and academic discipline.

Social Policy First Hand is the first comprehensive international social policy text from a participatory perspective and presents a new service user-led social policy that addresses the current challenges in welfare provision.

A companion volume to Peter Beresford’s bestselling All our welfare, it introduces the voices of different groups of service users, starting from their lived experience. With an impressive list of contributors, this important volume fills a gap in looking at social policy using participatory and inclusive approaches and the use of experiential knowledge in its construction. It will challenge traditional state and market-led approaches to welfare.

“For the first time, this text explores the problems, practicalities and enormous possibilities of participatory social policy at a global level. Essential Reading!” Jon Glasby, Head of the School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham
“This is a wonderful book and a must read! The contributions really enhance our awareness and understanding of the participatory approach in social policy.” Nicholas Ellison, University of York
"A must read for students in areas pertaining to the formation and application of social policy." Lia Levin, Tel Aviv University

Peter is Professor of Citizen Participation at the University of Essex and Co-Chair of Shaping Our Lives, the user led organisation and network. He has authored and edited more than 20 books and many journal articles as well as writing regular columns for the Guardian and the professional press. He has a longstanding track record of work in the field of participation and citizen involvement as academic, service user, researcher, educator and activist.

Sarah is Associate Professor of Mental Health Research at Middlesex University and Vice-chair of the National Survivor User Network. She holds Honorary Social Policy and Social Care posts at the universities of Birmingham and York, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Sarah has written on her own experiences a long-term user of mental health services as well as general mental health and social care practice and policy.