What Abianda Does That Makes Me Feel Valued and Not Tokenised

By Charlie Cross

Senior Systems Change Expert

Abianda is a women-only organisation, and that shapes how safe, supported, and valued I feel in my role. Working in a space led by and for women has had a deep and meaningful impact on me, both personally and professionally.

Abianda treats my lived experience as real knowledge. It is taken seriously and used meaningfully, not shared as a story for impact alone.

I am included early in work and conversations. I am not added at the end once decisions have already been made.

Abianda is committed to developing my role with me, making sure it is clear, meaningful, and right for who I am and how I work.

I am trusted to be involved in important and complex work that supports women and girls. Working within a women-only organisation allows me to contribute in ways that feel ethical, safe, and aligned with my values.

I am paid properly for my time and expertise. This makes my contribution feel professional and respected.

The organisation focuses on my strengths, not my past or perceived deficits. I am recognised for what I bring, not reduced to where I have come from.

Working in a women-only organisation has helped me build confidence and trust. I feel more secure in myself and in my work.

I have monthly supervision check-ins that genuinely support my wellbeing and give me space to reflect and feel supported.

Abianda cares about my wellbeing, not just my output. There is real understanding of the emotional impact of lived experience work.

My boundaries are respected. I am never pressured to share more than I want to.

I am not expected to speak for all women or all people with lived experience. My views are valued as my own.

What I share leads to real change. My contributions influence practice and decision-making.

I am treated like a colleague, not a case study.

Team meetings help me feel included and embedded within the organisation.

I am reminded about things like holiday, pensions, and long-term wellbeing. Even as a consultant, this care makes me feel valued as a person.

Overall, I feel safe, respected, and believed in. Working within a women-only organisation has been empowering and affirming.

For me, meaningful lived experience work is not about being invited to contribute occasionally. It is about being part of an environment where relationships, trust, wellbeing, boundaries and expertise are valued. When those things are in place, lived experience can move beyond consultation and genuinely influence practice, decision-making and systems change.