Charlotte Bates

Expert Citizens

Charlotte is thrilled to be given the opportunity to participate in the Commission, representing Expert Citizens, a Community Interest Company (CIC) run by and for people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages. Expert Citizens is a combination of people experiencing injustice, homelessness, the criminal justice system, mental ill-health addiction, domestic abuse and violence and survivors of sexual exploitation; who use their unique insight to work alongside local authorities, organisations and service providers to help them make their services even better. We all are a voice for a change.

Charlotte has both a professional and a personal interest in helping vulnerable people. In her professional endeavours this has led her career down paths in law, psychology and mediation, alongside sitting on the board of trustees for an advocacy charity and peer mentoring for Expert Citizens and Housing First. Charlotte is a passionate advocate for Expert Citizens and is privileged to be able to articulate her experiences to help others.​