The Netherlands - Five years of lived experience work in Gemeente Venray

The Netherlands - Five years of lived experience work in Gemeente Venray: “Recovery is possible — there’s always perspective.” Since 2019, Gemeente Venray (NL) has been working with experts by experience to support residents facing life challenges. What started as a promising pilot became a permanent approach in 2022, making recovery support and peer connection a lasting part of community care. Now, five years later, Gemeente Venray celebrates this milestone by reflecting with Mark B., an experience expert at Synthese, on his personal and professional journey: from deep lows to meaningful work in helping others find hope, perspective, and strength. Mark’s story is a moving example of how vulnerability can transform into strength. “It’s not just about telling your story,” he says, “but about what it can mean to someone else.” His reflection highlights the essence of experiential work: standing next to people, not above or opposite them. Creating connection through equality, openness, and the belief that recovery is always possible. In Venray, this approach has grown into a meaningful collaboration between professionals, experience workers, and the municipality, showing what becomes possible when lived experience is valued as expertise. 👏 A powerful example of how embedding experiential knowledge in local care systems can truly change lives.