Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Insights

Human Rights – Pauline Boscato

For the full Understanding Lived Experience Video series click here.

A diverse range of Lived Experience (Peer) Workers highlight the diversity of Lived Experience Workforces.

Aimee Sinclair – Lived Experience Academic

Aimee Sinclair speaks to the benefits and diversity of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces highlighting her experience as a Lived Experience Academic.

Tracie Booth – Lived Experience Educator

Tracie Booth speaks of her students’ outcomes, highlighting the important role that a Lived Experience Educator has in the growth of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces.

Benefits of Peer Work

A diverse range of Lived Experience (Peer) Workers and allies highlight the benefits and value of the Lived Experience Workforces.

Promotion of Organisational Readiness

A diverse range of Lived Experience (Peer) workers, leaders and allies speak to the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces as agents of change. The importance of organisations being ready for these workforces is outlined, along with the need to remove barriers to see these workforces thrive.

Margaret Doherty

Margaret Doherty, independent family/significant other advisor/consultant and Co-Chair Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces Project Steering Committee, sets the scene for the release of the Western Australian Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces Framework 2022.

Kerry Hawkins

Kerry Hawkins, WA Lived Experience Leader, shares understanding, diversity and the differences of the family/significant other Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces.

Alex Arpino – Alcohol and Other Drug Perspective

Alex Arpino, Development Coordinator, AODCCC talks about the importance of Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces from an Alcohol and Other Drug advocacy perspective.

Hayley Solich – Carer/Family/Significant Other Perspective

Hayley Solich speaks about the benefits of a Lived Experience (Peer) systemic advocate from a carer/family/significant other perspective.

Louise Howe – Consumer Advisor (government setting)

Louise Howe, Lived Experience Advisor (Consumer), Mental Health Commission, speaks to her role and the importance of having Lived Experience (Peer) workers involved in the decisions that impact them.

Mark Pigott – Inpatient Peer Support Perspective

Mark Piggot, Peer Support Worker WA Country Health Service – South West, speaks about what Lived Experience (Peer) work involves from a mental health inpatient work perspective.

Marisha Gerovich – Family Carer Peer Support Worker

Marisha Gerovich speaks to the importance of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces and the need to stand alongside and enhance the clinical workforce.

Steve Papadopoulos – Regional Alcohol and Other Drug Perspective

Steven Papadopoulos speaks to his experience as a Lived Experience (Peer) worker (Senior Support Worker) at Holyoake, highlighting the benefits, and importance of looking after yourself.

Emery Wishart – LGBTIQA+SB Perspective

Emery Wishart, Peer Supporter and Project Officer at TransFolk of WA, outlines the role of peer work in relation to power sharing and within designated Lived Experience (Peer) roles for the LGBTIQA+ community.

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Learne Durrington

Learne Durrington, Chief Executive Officer WA Primary Health Alliance, talks about her commitment to and the importance of the Lived Experience (Peer) workforces.

Paula Chatfield

Paula Chatfield, Executive Director Mental Health, WA Country Health Service, speaks to the importance of designated roles within organisations and the commitment of her organisation to embed these roles.

Debra Zanella

Debra Zanella, Chief Executive Officer, Ruah Community Services, speaks to her organisation’s commitment to the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces and the importance of embedding this workforce within organisations.

Daniel Morrison

Daniel Morrison, Chief Executive Officer Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, speaks to barriers of getting Aboriginal Lived Experience (Peers) in the current system and the need for flexibility.

These snapshots were provided by people who work/worked in a Lived Experience (Peer) role at a point in time (these individuals may not be affiliated with the work of the Mental Health Commission). The snapshots were created to provide readers with examples of ‘peer related’ roles in Western Australia. As they were provided in 2022, these people may no longer be in the positions or organisations they mention.

• Trish – Systemic Alcohol and Other Drug Advocate
• Steve – Lived Experience (Peer) Alcohol and Other Drug Worker – Regional
• Mark – Lived Experience (Peer) Worker in a Multidisciplinary Team – Regional
• Maria – Family Carer Lived Experience Peer Worker
• Jess – Lived Experience (Peer) worker at a Regional Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
• Hayley – Carer Peer Engagement Officer and Systemic Advocate
• Hanna – Lived Experience (Peer) Youth Outreach Worker- Community Mental Health
• Lorraine – Independent Consumer Consultant and a systemic advocate

Below are a series of snapshots from existing organisations that use Lived Experience (Peer) Workers.

These services are not necessarily endorsed or funded by the Mental Health Commission.

Snapshots were provided by services at a point in time to provide readers with examples of ‘peer-related’ services operational in Western Australia. As they were provided in 2022, services may no longer be operational or run in a manner that is equivalent to the information noted.