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LIFE stands for ‘Lived Insights from Experience’ and is an independent lived experience network.

Our definition of multiple complex needs (and ‘lived experience’ within that context) are those who have a personal understanding and direct experience of a combination of the following:

  • homelessness
  • experience of the criminal justice system
  • problematic substance or alcohol addiction
  • mental ill-health

These issues not only impact the lives of those experiencing them, but those with multiple complex needs also find it more difficult to engage with services due to a total lack of systemic flex. We, as a society, rely on services, which should understand the breadth of the challenges being faced by individuals, and should offer co-ordinated support.

It’s just not right that this failure to respond appropriately to need, leads people into further social exclusion and locked-out of services. Many people end up falling through the cracks or find their experience with services deepens their problems.