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In 2025, Blue Cabin advertised for four people to join the team in the new role of care experienced consultants (you can find out more about what the role of a Care Experienced Consultant involves here). Over the last year, our four new team members have helped to shape, strengthen and challenge Blue Cabin’s work across areas including marketing, fundraising and forward planning.
Three of our care experienced consultants – Jane McPhail, Emon Choudhury and Lucinda Fernandes Marvilha – look back on their first year in post, and forward to what they would like to experience during their second year.
How would you describe your year as a care experienced consultant?
This year has been fantastic – a real pleasure to support Blue Cabin’s work and represent care experience within a charity. It has helped me to build connections, understanding and, most importantly, to see the value in my own worth as a care experienced professional.
What has been a highlight?
The highlight for me has been getting to work with many different members of Blue Cabin, on different projects. Everyone I’ve met has taught me something new, brought me a smile and valued my ideas. I can see how each person within this professional community has their own stamp and that makes me proud to be a part of this work.
Has anything been difficult or challenging?
Sometimes I struggle to keep my personal experience separate from my professional capacity, which can sometimes lead to transference and a blurring of the lines within the workplace. However, I have been invited to discuss this with other care experienced individuals, as well as my caring team at Blue Cabin, which has been like peer supervision in a way. I’ve come to understand that this is a natural part of being a care experienced professional and it can work if the organisation is equipped to help you manage this. Blue Cabin has obviously thought about this before hiring us, because they cover all bases when it comes to supporting us. I’m grateful for that continuous care and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Has the role been different from what you expected?
It has been a lot more flexible and a lot more varied than I first imagined! I like the fact that I can choose how many hours out of seven that I do each month and I can choose which projects to get involved in. I can stick to what I love or I can challenge myself! Some months I’ve needed space to look after my own wellbeing and I’ve been able to take a step back, whereas other months I have been busy with projects, meetings and celebrations! I love the fluidity of the work.
What are you hoping to be involved in during your next year as a care experienced consultant?
I would love to be involved in more group projects with the other care experienced consultants. It was fantastic to meet one of the other experienced consultants face to face and I really felt enthusiastic about doing some work together! I am particularly interested in facilitation and would love to be involved in planning, delivering or co-facilitating a workshop or event. I would also love to work alongside some other associate artists and get to know their skillset – I think my life story background could work well with lots of Blue Cabin’s projects and I’m curious to connect with everyone I can!
How would you describe your year as a care experienced consultant?
My first year as a care experienced strategy consultant has been highly rewarding, insightful and genuinely enjoyable. I’ve particularly valued the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while seeing how my perspective can help shape both the strategic direction and day-to-day delivery of the organisation. It’s been a privilege to work alongside the Blue Cabin team!
What has been a highlight?
A key highlight has been the breadth of work I’ve been able to contribute to across the team and with partner organisations. From shaping elements of the overarching business plan to supporting the marketing and fundraising strategies, the variety has been both engaging and intellectually stimulating. It’s also been rewarding to see how these different strands come together to drive impact.
Has anything been difficult or challenging?
Overall, the role has felt very manageable. The flexibility of the structure, combined with the consistent support from the team, has made it possible to contribute alongside other commitments. If anything, the challenge has been prioritising across a range of interesting opportunities…
Has the role been different from what you expected?
I hadn’t anticipated the level of variety and exposure across different areas of the organisation. Being able to contribute across strategy, delivery and engagement has given me a much clearer understanding of how impact is created in practice. It has also reinforced the value of bringing lived-experience perspectives into a wide range of conversations.
What are you hoping to be involved in during your next year as a care experienced consultant?
I’m looking forward to building on this experience with even greater depth and impact. I’m particularly interested in contributing further to organisational strategy and long-term planning, and I’m excited to be involved in upcoming opportunities such as the board away-day. Continuing to support work that drives meaningful, system-level change is something I’m especially motivated by.
How would you describe your year as a care experienced consultant?
I’ve loved it! I’ve loved meeting people, applying my skills and learning new things. I remember saying in my interview that I wanted to get involved in everything, and that’s pretty much what’s happened. The team is really positive, and we’re treated professionally, which creates such a good working environment. It feels like my perfect job.
What has been a highlight?
We were asked to help with reviewing a book for care experienced children, and everyone had different views, but all of them were listened to. That was a highlight for me as it showed that my opinion was really valued and my feedback was taken on board, even though I was outnumbered in what I thought.
Has anything been difficult or challenging?
Areas like finance are new to me (I’m much more familiar with things like proofreading) and I still feel like I have a lot to learn. But as a team we all have our preferences and I am learning all the time.
Has the role been different from what you expected?
I knew the role would be creative and I found out during the interview that I could get involved in different areas, like fundraising and media. It’s even more varied than I’d anticipated, and I’m really enjoying learning so many new skills.
What are you hoping to be involved in during your next year as a care experienced consultant?
I’m hoping to do more facilitating and helping with projects. Recently I went to an event in Durham, with Blue Cabin’s care experienced facilitators, and I’d like to get more involved in that in the future. It would mean being less behind-the-scenes and I’m glad we can have that opportunity.
Thank you to Emon, Jane and Lucinda for sharing their honest experiences of joining the Blue Cabin team.
You can meet the entire care experienced consultant team here>>
