Lived Expertise in Action: Embedding a Peer Perspective
Tracks
Springbrook Room
| Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Overview
Brendan Ritchie & Mr Farouk Mitri, Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC)
Speaker
Mr Brendan Ritchie
Assistant Manager
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC))
Lived Expertise in Action: Embedding a Peer Perspective
Abstract
Peer Projects, a dynamic initiative of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC), is at the forefront of advancing the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Lived and Living Experience (LLE) workforce. We serve as a vital resource for the sector, driving impactful peer support initiatives that empower communities and transform lives.
Working alongside the Victorian Department of Health and the LLE communities, we support the growth, development and sustainability of the current and emerging workforce by providing LLE workforce support including managing the Peer Mentors in Justice programs within the Drug Treatment Courts and Family Drug Treatment Courts of Victoria, delivering peer worker trainings, peer supervision, resource development, facilitating the Victorian AOD Peer Workforce Community of Practice, organisational readiness training and consultation nationwide.
SHARC is also honoured to be partnering with Yale University and international expert Dr Louise Byrne to deliver the Lived Experience Workforce Learning Collaborative (LEWLC) in Victoria.
The lived experience led Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) at Yale University have tested a model for building networks and mentoring between organisations who employ LLE workforce, to create mutual learning and support, to better understand and enable authentic LLE work.
With the significant growth of the LLE workforces nationwide, organisations continue to recognise and embrace the unique value of our work, the need for LLE leadership, discipline specific supports and career pathways.
Embedding a peer perspective and creating a shared understanding of the vital role LLE workers play within multidisciplinary teams has become central to transformative change within services.
Expected learnings from this presentation include understanding the current state of the LLE workforce and initiatives, it's growth and future opportunities, the varied roles within the umbrella of LLE, including defining the peer work discipline and understanding the journey from lived experience to lived expertise.
Working alongside the Victorian Department of Health and the LLE communities, we support the growth, development and sustainability of the current and emerging workforce by providing LLE workforce support including managing the Peer Mentors in Justice programs within the Drug Treatment Courts and Family Drug Treatment Courts of Victoria, delivering peer worker trainings, peer supervision, resource development, facilitating the Victorian AOD Peer Workforce Community of Practice, organisational readiness training and consultation nationwide.
SHARC is also honoured to be partnering with Yale University and international expert Dr Louise Byrne to deliver the Lived Experience Workforce Learning Collaborative (LEWLC) in Victoria.
The lived experience led Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) at Yale University have tested a model for building networks and mentoring between organisations who employ LLE workforce, to create mutual learning and support, to better understand and enable authentic LLE work.
With the significant growth of the LLE workforces nationwide, organisations continue to recognise and embrace the unique value of our work, the need for LLE leadership, discipline specific supports and career pathways.
Embedding a peer perspective and creating a shared understanding of the vital role LLE workers play within multidisciplinary teams has become central to transformative change within services.
Expected learnings from this presentation include understanding the current state of the LLE workforce and initiatives, it's growth and future opportunities, the varied roles within the umbrella of LLE, including defining the peer work discipline and understanding the journey from lived experience to lived expertise.
Biography
Brendan Ritchie is the Assistant Manager for Peer Projects at the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) in Victoria. His role includes coordinating the operations and planning of the program, involvement in AOD lived experience initiatives and projects, support and supervision of the AOD lived experience workforce, advocacy for lived experience workers, consultancy and training, both for peer workers as well as organisations. With 10 years' experience working in designated and non-designated roles within AOD treatment services and programs, Brendan holds qualifications in clinical supervision, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), Mental Health (MH), Leadership and Management.
