The voices of lived and living experience have long been drowned out by the chorus of 'weight-change for health' narratives. But a tide is turning, through contributions from a collective of individuals driven by their own experiences and dedicated to building a healthcare system that prioritises well-being over the tyranny of the weighing scale.

Connecting with National Voices, the powerful coalition of health and care organisations in England, wasn't just about joining a platform; it was about amplifying a chorus too often muted: the chorus of living experience. We are not researchers studying health from afar; we are the stories, the struggles, the triumphs, and the wisdom gleaned from navigating a system that often fails to see beyond BMI.

Through National Voices, we can share our weight-neutral/inclusive approach to health, born from personal journeys and fuelled by a fierce commitment to whole-person well-being.

This isn't about denying the existence of weight-related health concerns. It's about demanding, with the conviction of lived experience, a holistic approach that respects individual needs and choices instead of forcing everyone into the mold of a 'weight change for health' system. Every person deserves respect, support, and personalised care, regardless of their size or shape.

National Voices connects us to a powerful platform and a network of allies: organisations and individuals who share our unwavering passion for empowering individuals and dismantling the pervasive walls of weight stigma. Together, we can learn from each other's stories, amplify our collective voice, and push for meaningful change in a healthcare system desperately in need of policy shift.

This is a responsibility we embrace wholeheartedly. We commit to:

• Advocating for weight-neutral healthcare: We will challenge the dominance of weight-change narratives and champion approaches that center personal well-being and respect for bodily autonomy.

• Empowering individuals: We will ensure everyone has access to resources and support that cater to their unique needs and choices, regardless of their weight.

• Amplifying lived experience voices: We will prioritise sharing the stories and insights of those who navigate the system with different bodies, ensuring their experiences inform and improve healthcare for all.

• Strengthening the movement: We will join forces with other weight-neutral advocates and work tirelessly to dismantle size stigma and build a healthcare system that celebrates diversity and empowers individuals at every size.

Realising a healthcare system that embraces and empowers all is possible, and we are not alone. With National Voices, the weight neutral/inclusive movement, and the collective power of lived/living experience, we can build a future where well-being thrives, not tied to a number on a scale, but on respect, understanding, and unwavering support for every individual's unique experience.

Are you a FutureNHS member? Why not join and help build the "Working Weight Neutrally to Improve Access, Participation and Health Equity" Workspace