Come to our free, online information session.
The Lived Experience Workforce Program (LEWP) will be running another free 4-day Orientation to Mental Health Peer Work Program in February 2023 (note – change of date from November).
We invite people who are interested in learning more about mental health Peer work as a career to join us in a free, online information session in early November.
During the session our LEWP Senior Project Officer, Lizzie Graham, will:
- Talk about what Peer work is
- Touch on the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective Peer worker, including personal or carer/family Lived Experience, recovery and self-management
- Introduce the Values and Principles that Peer workers must align to in their practice
- Discuss other ways your Lived Experience can be valuable if you feel Peer work is not the right fit
- Let you know what to expect if you apply for and attend the face-to-face program
- Let you know what we expect from people who attend
You’ll also hear from a team member of the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work in SA, who will talk about the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, the benchmark qualification for anyone in a Peer work role.
When the session is over, you’ll be invited to submit an Expression of Interest form if you want to do the 4-day training. If selected, the Orientation to Mental Health Peer Work Program will go into the above areas in a lot more depth and give you opportunity to ask questions you might have. While it doesn’t teach you how to be a Peer worker (the Cert IV does that), it does prepare you for the realities of the study, Peer work and of being an employee. And if you decide at any time it isn’t your thing – no problem! You’re welcome to leave the program at any time and Lizzie can link you in with other Lived Experience networks if you choose.
At the end of the 4 days, if you definitely want to keep working towards a career in Peer work, you will have the opportunity to move into the RTO’s course selection process for their next Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work intake in 2023. Please note this does not guarantee you a place in the course: there are specific criteria you will need to meet which the RTO will discuss with you.
Here’s what other people liked about the information session and the program:
- It was delivered in a trauma informed way
- What It’s like to be a peer worker – the good and bad sides
- A peer perspective, having a peer worker here talking about their experience.
- Having it be presented by someone with a lived experience
- An outstanding four days of building information to build future pathways and career and purpose!
- Thank you for the orientation today! It was great to get more insight about Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work. It has helped me consolidate my belief that my skills and strengths around my lived experience would be a great asset
If you’re interested in coming to the online information session in early November, you’ll need to register using an online link. Contact Lizzie at lizzie.graham@mhcsa.org.au to join our mailing list and it will be delivered to your inbox in October. You can also keep an eye on our website https://mhcsa.org.au/lived-experience-workforce-program/
Belinda Brown
Program Manager
Lived Experience Workforce Program (LEWP)
