Lived and Living Experience
The Lived and Living Experience Workforce (LLEW) at GV Health is made up of staff who use their own lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, caring, and navigating services as professional expertise.
This expertise is used intentionally to support people, strengthen partnerships, and improve how mental health services are designed and delivered. Lived and Living Experience staff work alongside consumers, carers, clinicians, managers, and leaders to ensure services are safe, respectful, rights-based, and recovery-oriented.
Who We Are
Lived and Living Experience staff are employed in designated roles that recognise lived experience as a form of professional knowledge. Staff may identify as having lived experience as a consumer, a carer, or both.
Our workforce includes peer support workers, lived experience consultants, educators, leaders, and other specialist roles across mental health and related services.
What We Do
The Lived and Living Experience Workforce contributes at individual, service, and system levels. This includes:
- Providing peer support and advocacy
- Supporting people to understand their rights and choices
- Promoting shared decision-making and supported decision-making
- Informing service improvement, policy, and practice
- Contributing to education, training, and workforce development
- Strengthening partnerships between consumers, carers, and services
Where We Work
Lived and Living Experience staff work across inpatient, community, and specialist mental health services at GV Health. Roles are embedded within teams and also work across services to support consistency, quality, and system improvement.
Supporting Consumers
For people using mental health services, Lived and Living Experience staff can provide support that is informed by personal understanding of recovery and service systems.
This may include:
- Listening to your experiences and concerns
- Supporting you to have your voice heard
- Helping you understand your rights and options
- Supporting advance statements, nominated persons, and preferences
- Connecting you with advocacy and other supports
Supporting Carers
Lived and Living Experience staff also recognise the vital role of carers, families, and supporters.
Support may include:
- Recognising and valuing carer perspectives
- Supporting carer involvement where appropriate
- Providing information about rights and supports for carers
- Assisting with navigating services and raising concerns
Working with Staff and Services
Lived and Living Experience staff work in partnership with clinical and non-clinical staff to bring lived experience perspectives into everyday practice.
This includes contributing to:
- Service planning and improvement
- Policy and procedure development
- Education and training
- Quality and safety initiatives
- Co-design, co-evaluate and participation activities
Our Commitment
GV Health is committed to strengthening the Lived and Living Experience Workforce in line with Victorian mental health reforms. This includes recognising lived experience as a valued discipline, supporting safe and effective practice, and ensuring lived experience perspectives influence decisions at all levels of the organisation.
How to Connect With Us
If you would like to learn more about the Lived and Living Experience Workforce or how to connect with lived experience staff, please speak with your treating team or contact the mental health service directly.
FAQ’s about lived and living experience workforce
What is the Lived and Living Experience Workforce?
The Lived and Living Experience Workforce (LLEW) is made up of staff who use their own lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, caring, and navigating services as professional expertise. This experience is used to support people, influence care, and improve how mental health services are delivered at GV Health.
Who can connect with lived and living experience staff?
Lived and Living Experience staff may work with consumers, carers, families, supporters, staff, and services. Access may depend on the service you are involved with and the role of the lived experience worker within that service. You can ask your treating team or service about connecting with a lived experience worker.
Is it my choice to speak with a lived experience worker?
Yes. Speaking with a lived and living experience worker is always your choice. You can choose whether or not to engage, and you can change your mind at any time.
Your decision will not affect your care or the services you receive.
What kind of support can lived and living experience staff provide?
Depending on their role, lived and living experience staff may:
- listen to and validate lived experiences
- support people to have their voice heard
- help explain rights, options, and choices
- support shared and supported decision-making
- assist with advance statements and nominated persons
- provide feedback and insights to improve services
- support carers and families to be recognised and involved where appropriate
What lived and living experience staff do not do?
Lived and Living Experience staff:
- do not replace clinical care
- do not provide medical or clinical treatment
- do not make clinical decisions
- do not act on behalf of services without consent
Their role is to bring lived experience perspectives into care, support, and service improvement.
How is confidentiality handled?
Lived and Living Experience staff follow the same privacy and confidentiality requirements as other GV Health staff. Information is treated respectfully and shared only when required for safety, care, or legal reasons. If there are limits to confidentiality, these will be explained clearly.
Can lived and living experience staff support carers as well?
Yes. Lived and Living Experience staff recognise the important role carers, families, and supporters play. Some roles include a specific focus on carer perspectives and support. Support may include recognition, information, advocacy, and assistance navigating services.
Can lived and living experience staff help with feedback or concerns?
Yes. Lived and Living Experience staff can support people to share feedback, raise concerns, or understand available options. This may include helping you prepare to speak with services or directing you to appropriate feedback, complaints, or advocacy pathways. They do not replace formal complaints or investigation processes.
How can I connect with the Lived and Living Experience Workforce?
You can ask your treating team or service about lived and living experience support, or contact the mental health service directly for more information.
- ADDRESS
Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service
Monash Street
Shepparton, 3630
Beta Street
Seymour, 3660
- CONTACT
- REFERRALS
For referrals please contact Mental Health triage 1300 369 005