What makes a good story? Libby Chandler gives thoughts from working with Voices Support CIC.
A descriptive setting that sets the mood, the main protagonist suffering with inner conflict, the triumph or shattering of character development, a plot twist to throw the audience into a state of shock, emotional relatability and everything and anything to increase the heart rate. We know what makes a good story. We all enjoy a good story.
But what makes a valuable story? Is it the story that provides the lens for us to see through another’s eyes? One that allows us to truly understand and empathise with another’s experience, so we can learn how to help others and do better. A new perspective, profound enough to encourage positive change. A story that sticks with us long after we close the book for the final time.
You could say that lived experience is an accumulation of stories. Stories that might be brief, others lengthy; some turbulent or plain sailing, all with their lessons and insights.
From these tales, we can highlight mistakes and successes and, with these learnings, contribute to the design and delivery of services that are fit for purpose. An individual’s encounters enable decision-makers to understand the real-world impact of their decisions. False and dominant narratives can be challenged, and equitable solutions can be sought moving forward.
On 5th February 2026, Changing Futures held an event at The Bond in Birmingham, focused on storytelling as a tool for systems change.
VOICES Support CIC, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), is proud to be a part of Changing Futures Surrey, and their team joined the event to learn how storytelling is vital in our work.
Read the full report here
The original feature was written by Libby Chandler on behalf of Changing Futures Surrey.Â
DDN magazine is a free publication self-funded through advertising.
We are proud to work in partnership with many of the leading charities and treatment providers in the sector.
This content was created on behalf of Changing Futures Surrey