Introducing The Collective

The Collective is a new consortium set to provide workforce development opportunities for Victorian lived and living experience workers. It comprises the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre, Harm Reduction Victoria, Tandem, the Carer Lived Experience Workforce Network, and the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council.

The Collective will provide introductory training for mental health workers on the role and value of the lived and living experience workforces, along with access to discipline-specific supervision, specialised training for the family carer supporters lived experience workforce and broader support to strengthen capability across the sector. It will also be involved in the implementation of five new lived and living experience discipline frameworks.

The Collective was developed as the Centre for Mental Health Learning’s programs were transitioned to the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Collective and the Collaborative Centre will partner on this work to ensure a whole-of-workforce approach to capability development, sharing knowledge, expertise and infrastructure. This partnership will grow and strengthen as designated lived experience roles are recruited and onboarded at the Collaborative Centre. 

Staff commenced at The Collective on 8 July 2025 and are focused on onboarding, relationship building and settling into their roles. If you would like to get in touch with, or learn more about, The Collective please email: Collective@sharc.org.au.