Building on the momentum of the 2024 Lived Experience Homelessness Advocacy Forum, this event will strengthen cross-sector advocacy and collaboration by centering lived experience. It will bring together consumer peaks and individuals with lived expertise to co-design more responsive systems and pathways for people at risk of homelessness.

The forum recognises that homelessness is not only a housing issue and aims to identify systemic barriers across different service systems – and develop shared solutions informed by lived experience.

To help everyone feel comfortable, a chill out space and wellness support are available. Morning tea and lunch will include vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free food for those coming along in person. When you register, please let us know of any other ways we can support your participation.

Date: Wednesday July 30

Time: 9.30am - 3pm

Cost: Free to attend.

Registrations are required.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

During the event we will collectively focus on four core themes:

Embedding voices with lived and living experience.
Prevention through collaborative action.
Cross-sector responsiveness and advocacy.
Navigational equity – making services accessible and understandable.

Who is the event ideal for?

People with Lived Experience of homelessness or housing insecurity; consumer-led organisations and peaks (e.g. Consumers of Mental Health WA, Carers WA, PWdWA, Community Legal WA); government staff; sector leaders from health, disability, justice, AOD, First Nations, and carer sectors; and Lived Experience advocates.

Please note that there is a limit of two (2) tickets for each organisation. Please coordinate with your colleagues to ensure who is most appropriate to attend this event. If registrations are received from more than two representatives from an organisation the event team will reach out to individuals and your ticket may be cancelled.

Program for the event:

Event open, Welcome to Country, Recognition of Lived Experience
Opening Reflections:
Stories of change and lived experience-led impact.
Sector Snapshots:
Brief updates and insights from consumer peaks
Panel Discussion or Yarning Circle:
Shared discussion on the lived experience of navigating systems – what’s working and what’s not.
Interactive Workshops:
Exploring prevention across sectors, designing better navigation tools, and identifying future collaborative actions.
Networking and Cross-Sector Connection Time

A photographer will be present but will check with you before taking a photo. You are welcome to say you would prefer not to be included and this will be respected. Photos may be used in our social media, on the Shelter WA website and in our marketing, e-newsletters and annual reports. There may be some whole of event photos taken from behind that will not identify individuals.

You are welcome to attend with a support worker. Please ask them to register separately so that we provide enough seating and catering for everyone. If registering your support worker, you can use Support Worker in place of their name if you don’t have their name as yet. Please include any dietary requirements for them.

If you plan to attend more than one Shelter WA event, please register for each individual event hosted during Homelessness Week.

The venue accessibility guide is available here on the Shelter WA website.

To view the venue visit:

https://onlineservices.southperth.wa.gov.au/facilities/facility/manning-community-centre/manning-community-hall

We are delighted to be able to bring this event to you for Homelessness Week 2025 with the support of Lotterywest. Thank you to Homelessness Week 2025 sponsor, the Department of Communities and Event Sponsor Beyond Bank.

We would also like to acknowledge workshop sponsors Uniting WA and Gresley Abas, and food and beverage sponsor, Keystart.