b'Developing a lived experience workforce. Helping people buildcareers and improveservice delivery.As well as partnering closely with users I did some soul-searching and wanted to find of our services to improve service planning,out exactly what was important in my life and design, delivery, and evaluation, Uniting alsore-evaluate my values. This led me towards has a strong focus on employing people withchanging careers and focusing on mental lived experience.health, Luke says.Lived experience workers are people who Ive got a real connection to this industry have had life-changing personal experiences,personally. Just due to my own struggles with such as mental health concerns or drug andmental health and my own recovery and having alcohol abuse, have accessed support and areseen previous colleagues take their own lives.now utilising their lived expertise, along withWhile Luke is in the early stages of his new career, formal training, to support others accessinghe says the program has already given him insight similar services.into the many different avenues available. Last year Uniting was proud to be one of Luke explains, Im still deciding on what pathonly six organisations chosen by the Victorianto take but I suppose thats the great thing about Government to offer the Lived Experiencethis Cadetship is theres no pressure towards a Peer Cadet Program. The program provides anspecific path. employment opportunity available to peoplewith lived experience of mental health andUniting Cadetship Project Lead, Amy, says lived wellbeing concerns who are undertaking theexperience employees have a lot to offer the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.workforce. Their knowledge and familiarity with Uniting peer cadet, Luke, explains that livedproblems can make all the difference. experience workers can help inspire those Its important in building relationships with the who are struggling with their mental health. people we work with. It breaks down the stigma I suppose we provide a level of hope thatfor people accessing our services and asking for recovery is attainable and achievable. Ifhelp, she says.anything, we can be role models to people whoAs a lived experience worker, you have that are going through mental health difficulties, toawareness that we cant necessarily fix peoples show that there really is light at the end of theproblems, but we can walk alongside them as tunnel, he says.they figure out what they want in their lives or Luke decided to join the Cadetship after 18 yearstheir recovery.with the Australian Defence Force.More about Uniting CareersSupporter Newsletter Autumn 2023 3'