b'Creating change with consumersThrough our Consumer Partnerships Program, consumers andcarers work alongside staff to determine who we are, what we do, and how we do it. Together we can make meaningful change.Making better decisionsWe know consumers have the skills and A focus this year has been partnering with wisdom to contribute to addressing socialConsumer Partners in more senior decision- Fostering peer leadership issues. We value the lived experience and expertise of consumers alongside themaking groupsNothing about us without us.professional experience and knowledge ofTwo Consumer Partners now routinely contribute the Uniting workforce.to the Quality, Safety and Service InnovationUniting is proud to be one of six organisations chosen to offer the Board Subcommittee.Three Consumer Partners contribute to theLived Experience Peer Cadet Program, providing employment New partnership framework Consumer Experience and Service Improvementopportunities for those pursuing Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work. The second Uniting Consumer PartnershipsCommittee, including playing a role as the Co-Framework was launched in February 2023. Chair of the Committee. The 12-month paid cadetship is centred aroundWhen I was studying Cert IV Mental Health The purpose of the Framework is; Consumers,This has led to better decisions, as well as changesassisting participants in developing theirPeer Work, I was recommended by onecarers and Unitings workforce working together,to our processes to share power more intentionally.practical and personal experience so they canof my teachers to apply for this Cadetshipupholding human rights to achieve Unitingseffectively work in the role of a lived experienceand specifically I was told Uniting had apurpose by sharing voice, power and action. Shaping our directionconsumer or career peer worker within a largegood program.It defines the purpose, principles, goals and toolsUniting has a number of activities and groupscommunity mental health service. While Luke is in the infancy stages of his required for authentic and effective partneringwhere consumers and staff come together: The Peer Cadet Program is about establishingcareer, he says the programs expansive between consumers and the Uniting workforce.Homelessness Advocacy and and developing the lived experience workforceopportunities allow him insight into theReference Committee so there is a pathway towards meaningfulmany avenues available to him.The new Framework keeps power and diversityAsylum Seeker Welcome Centre(ASWC)employment within the industry, said Luke, in focus, strengthens Unitings commitment Advisory Groupone of programs participants. Im still deciding on what path I want to take to transparency and accountability, and identifiesbut I suppose thats the great thing about this new tools to help get us there. Consumer Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinical For myself, its been quite a good, steppedcadetship is theres no pressure towards a Partners were involved in many phases of theGovernance Committee approach into the industry, especiallyspecific path.Framework development. They shared their lived Enterprise Partnerships Focus groups considering Ive come from outside it. Its been great in assisting me to set up expertise with boldness, creativity and patience.Consumer Partnerships Steering Group Luke worked within the Australian Defenceboundaries so that this work is a sustainable We have promoted the refreshed approach Consumer and Staff Policy Panel Force for 18 years before he decided on acareer path for the future.through a series of internal Lunch and LearnConsumer Partners as members oncareer change. Luke believes that lived experience workers and skills sharing sessions focused on: recruitment interview panels. I did some soul searching and wanted to can help inspire those currently strugglingIntroducing Consumer Partnerships practice Its important that we, all of us, feel like find out exactly what was important in mywith their mental health. Starting an Advisory Group: Spotlight onwe can change something. Being part of life and re-evaluate my values. This led me to this group is like you are a human being, change careers and focusing on mental health. I suppose we provide a level of hope that Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre not just an asylum seeker or refugee. recovery is attainable and achievable. ThatPower sharing in Consumer Partnerships It is important to share my experience.Ive got a real connection to this industrythere really is light at the end of the tunnel. Running Working Groups: Spotlight on thepersonally. Just due to my own struggles with* The photo accompanying this story is for illustrative purposes - Evalina, member of ASWC Advisory Group mental health and my own recovery and having Resources Working Group.seen previous colleagues take their own lives. only. It is not a photo of the person featured in this story.Find out more28 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'