[SECTOR WORKSHOP] Where Lived Experience Fits With Governance

The role of people with lived experience in leadership and governance settings is increasingly recognised as essential within the mental health and broader social sectors, inclusive of suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs, homelessness and family, domestic and sexual violence. However, increased visibility and representation does not automatically mean people with lived experience are meaningfully contributing or have real influence on the type of supports available or how decisions are made.

This workshop will explore where lived experience fits with governance and the considerations and structures more likely to make it safe, meaningful, and transformative for people with lived experience and organisations. The session will examine both the inclusion of lived experience within traditional governance structures and the emerging Lived Experience Governance approach.

The training will deepen people's understanding of how to genuinely include and share power with people with lived experience, strengthen accountability and create conditions for lived expertise to shape service, organisational, policy, commissioning and system directions, priorities, and decisions.

Who The Training is For:

Where Lived Experience Fits With Governance training is designed for people and organisations interested in or responsible for strengthening their governance practice.

The training is suitable for service and policy leaders, executives, people in governance and board roles, organisational development and human resources, as well as lived experience leaders who may or may not be in a representative or designated role.

* If you are being supported by an organisation and require an invoice please email info@lelan.org.au outlining the workshop/ training session(s) and attendee information. Please note that three or more people attending the same session from the same organisation will be registered using the member priced tickets.

What Will be Covered:  

• Understanding the nuances of lived experience involvement, expertise, and leadership.

• Tangible examples of embedding lived experience 'at all levels' and 'across organisations' to know what it means and could look like in their context.

• What governance is and why the evolution of current approaches matters.

• Why lived experience voice, influence and leadership is necessary in governance settings.

• What is meant by 'lived experience in governance'.

• Common challenges when embedding lived experience and how it can be more effectively structured.

• Introduction to Lived Experience Governance and how it aligns, as well as deviates from, traditional governance approaches.

• Examples of emerging practice and innovation.

• Structures and mechanisms for making decisions, sharing influence and increased accountability.

• The role of boards, executives, funders and lived experience leaders.

• Reflecting on your personal and organisational readiness, as well as possible next steps.

Structure of The Day:

This is a one-day in-person training available to people that work in the mental health and social sectors. The session will include presentation of information by the facilitator(s), large and small group discussions, and reflective exercises. The knowledge, skills and diverse experiences of attendees will be drawn on to create an environment of dialogue, shared learning, and community.

* Morning and afternoon tea will be provided by LELAN only. For lunch a supermarket and range of cafes and other places are close by for you to purchase food yourself, facilities are accessible for storing and reheating food you may bring.

Facilitator Information:

This session will be facilitated by Ellie Hodges (Chief Executive).

You can learn more about LELAN team members and access numerous resources that inform and demonstrate our expertise via our website at www.lelan.org.au.

Scholarship Support for People with Lived Experience to Attend:

If you are a person with lived experience that is interested and available to attend but the cost of training is a barrier, please email info@lelan.org.au expressing interest and telling us about yourself, including how this will help you in any advocacy, representative or peer work role you have.

Bespoke Training Options with LELAN:

If you would like this or similar training to be facilitated within your organisation, please reach out to LELAN to discuss how we can tailor learning and development opportunities to your needs. The best way to do this is via info@lelan.org.au or 0431 953 526.

LELAN also has an approach for auditing, synthesising results and providing recommendations for improvement on your readiness, willingness and ability to embed co-production, lived experience and the lived experience (peer) workforces that you may be interested in.