About the Program
Lived Experience Workforce Program (LEWP)
A mental health Lived Experience/Peer Worker is someone who is employed in a role that requires them to have lived experience of mental distress and recovery, either personally (consumer) or as a family member/friend of someone who has (carer).
They must be able to effectively apply this knowledge in practice within the context of their role, as well as within the values and principles and other frameworks that guide peer work practice. Peer support began with one-to-one and group roles but we are seeing lived experience roles expand into other areas such as leadership, project work, policy development and education.
The LEWP is funded through the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist to support the development and growth of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce in the non-government mental health sector. Everything we do is co-designed or co-produced with our Reference Group, Lived Experience/Peer Workers and their Leaders.
Scroll down to read more about our activities and how we may be able to support you.
LEWP Events
Becoming a Peer Worker
Not everyone who has lived experience will be an effective Peer Worker.
As well as personal recovery skills and navigating the responsibilities that come with being an employee, it takes training and skills development to be able to draw safely and effectively from your lived experience and practice within the frameworks that guide peer work.
It isn’t for everybody – and that’s ok! There are other ways that your lived experience can be of value. For example, contributing to systems change or representing people with lived experience on committees or groups.
To explore the right pathway for you, click the links to read more:
Upcoming Workshops
Orientation to Mental Health Peer Work Program – Pt. Lincoln, Nov 16-19: contact lizzie.graham@mhcsa.org.au for details.
Current Peer Workers
The LEWP offers a range of professional development and networking opportunities to support the peer practice of NGO mental health Peer Workers.
If you are in a designated lived experience/peer work role and do not yet have the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, we encourage you to consider this qualification; discuss it with your Manager and work together to explore any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) you may be eligible for.
Experienced Peer Workers who are interested in becoming Peer Supervisors may like to explore the training we offer as a foundation for building these skills.
Click the links to read more about how we can support you:
Upcoming Workshops
FREE – BOOK NOW: November 24th Advocacy Skills in Peer Work Webinar presented by Lived Experience Australia. Read more and register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/professional-development-webinar-for-sa-ngo-mental-health-peer-workforce-tickets-172419881507
For Line Managers of Peer Workforce
The LEWP supports people whose roles directly supervise designated peer work roles within the organisation…
…through training or regular practice development meetings. We also offer lived experience practice Peer Supervision – refer to the section above for details.
Click the links below to read more about our support for leaders:
Upcoming Workshops
Save the date: Community of Practice for NGO Leaders of Lived Experience/Peer Workforce – November 17th, online.
For Non-Government Organisations
The work of LEWP directly supports the MHCSA’s strategy for Peer Workforce and aligns to statewide plans.
The tools below have been co-designed to support organisations to prepare for, recruit, support and grow their Peer Workforce. Our Standards and Guidelines have been designed as a self-assessment tool for organisations to measure where they are at against best practice standards and develop/implement an Action Plan to address these. The LEWP is happy to discuss how we can support you to do this within your organisation.
Click the links below to read more about our support for leaders:
LEWP NGO Mental Health Standards and Guidelines (Mainstream/LGBTIQA+ Workforces)
LEWP NGO Mental Health Standards and Guidelines (Aboriginal Workforce)
LEWP NGO Mental Health Standards and Guidelines (CALD Workforce)
Standards and Guidelines Action Plan Template
Quick Tips for Recruiting and Retaining Lived Experience/Peer Workers
Resources and Reading
Networks and mailing lists
Resources
2015 LEWP Training Needs Analysis
SA Mental Health Commission Strategic Plan 2017-22
Exploring the Expression of Personal History within Consumer-Centred Teaching
Implementing Mental Health Peer Support: an SA Experience
The Lived Experience Workforce in SA Public Mental Health Services
SACHRU Peer Work Project Endpoint Evaluation
National Mental Health Commission Peer Workforce Development Guidelines
A role for lived experience mental health leadership in the age of COVID-19
Lived experience practitioners and the medical model: world’s colliding?
Lean on me: the potential for peer support in a non-government Australian mental health service
Final Report: PMHCCN Peer Workforce Organisation Feasibility Study
Management Perspective on Value of Peer Work
Mental Health Peer Work Scoping Report
Barriers and Enablers to Lived Experience Workforce Development
The Effectiveness of Services Led or Run by Consumers in Mental Health
The Global Need for Lived Experience Leadership
The stigma of identifying as having a lived experience runs before me
5th National MH and Suicide Prevention Plan
Contact LEWP
Lizzie Graham
Senior Project Officer
lizzie.graham@mhcsa.org.au
0434 920 745 (Mon-Thurs)
Belinda Brown
Program Manager
belinda.brown@mhcsa.org.au
0423 213 080 (Mon-Thurs)
