It’s time to celebrate lived and living experience workforce, and the value we bring to the Victorian Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sectors!

The Self Help Addiction Resource Centre and the Department of Health Victoria are excited to announce that the Lived and Living Experience Workforce (LLEW) Forum 2025 is now open for registrations. We are proud to be hosting this event, in collaboration with Tandem, VMIAC, Harm Reduction Victoria, CMHL, and Mental Health Victoria.

This event is FREE for anyone employed in a designated LLE role within a state-funded Victorian Mental Health and/or AOD organisation.

Themed "Distinct Disciplines - Collectively Leading Change," it will be a day of celebration, networking, and robust discussion. Together, we’ll reflect on the achievements we’ve made across the LLEW and explore our next steps as a workforce.

The forum represents a significant opportunity for LLE workers to engage with peers, gain insights into better practices, and contribute to discussions shaping the future of our sectors. It is a vital platform for professional development, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the voice of lived and living experience in service delivery and policy.

Presenting a range of voices and perspectives from our LLEW community, our speakers and panelists will bring a rich tapestry of lived and living experience across the alcohol and other drugs (AOD), harm reduction, and mental health sectors. Speakers from both consumer and family workforces, will each contribute unique insights into their respective disciplines. Representing diverse perspectives, this lineup will cover themes relating to how the LLEW is collectively leading change within the sectors, collaborative integration between AOD and Mental Health, cultural and workplace safety, minority voices, balancing power dynamics, and our vision moving forward.

For the breakout workshops, you can choose from a range of wellbeing and self-care activities or attend a training session. These include:

1. Naloxone Training (Overdose recognition, response and prevention): Learn life-saving skills with Brit Chapman from Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) as she guides you through the process of recognising opioid overdoses and responding with naloxone – the opioid reversal medication. HRVic’s naloxone training differs from other naloxone training in that you are being trained by someone with lived or living experience of injecting drug use.

2. Ecstatic Dance: Dance your way to emotional and spiritual growth with Madhu Henry, founder of Ecstatic Dance Melbourne. This unique practice combines the freedom of dance with mindful movement, fostering connection, celebration, and personal transformation.

3. Sound Healing: Experience the calming power of sound meditation with Gurvinder Kaur, using instruments like singing bowls. This session promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and helps you connect deeply with your inner self.

4. Aromatherapy: Join Carmela Ciavarella, a qualified aromatherapist, to create a rejuvenating coffee/sugar scrub. This hands-on session encourages self-care, creativity, and sensory connection, while promoting relaxation and well-being.

5. Creative Writing & Storytelling: Explore the therapeutic power of creative writing and storytelling with Karen McKnight, an award-winning writer with AOD/MH carer lived experience. This nurturing session will introduce you to creative techniques that inspire self-expression and connection, and get you started on your writing journey.

6. Art Therapy from a Peer Perspective: Led by Duan Stevenson, this session offers an engaging introduction to creative art therapies for self-care and emotional well-being. Learn how to use art as a therapeutic tool and explore its potential as a modality for clients.

You can list your preference for these breakout workshops when completing your online registration.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at LLEWforum@sharc.org.au

We are looking forward to seeing you there!