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.

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

We are looking forward to having you join us online!

Contact the host of LIVE STREAM Distinct Disciplines - Collectively Leading Change: Lived and Living Experience Workforce 2025 Forum