I am extremely passionate about peer work and have witnessed the transformation that can take place in people's lives. I have lived with mental illness for over 38 years and worked as a Peer specialist, trainer and advocate in the mental health sector in for over sixteen years. I believe that all individuals living with mental illness and distress, including their carers and families, can live a full and meaningful life, given the right support.

My work as a peer worker highlighted many of the difficulties individuals face working in isolation or in organisations that struggle to understand the values and principles that underpin peer work. I became to determined to ensure that all peer workers have the personal and professional support to be their very best.

2009-2012 Mental Illness Fellowship of SA- Consumer peer worker Personal Helpers and Mentors Program

2012-2017 Carers and disAbility Link - Peer worker

2014-Present Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine -Casual Trainer (General Practice Mental Health Skills Training)

2015-2018 Mental Health Co-ordinating Council of Australia-Casual Trainer and Assessor

2015-Present Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer

2016-2022 TAFE SA- Trainer and Assessor Cert IV Mental Health Peer Work

2017-2019 Lived Experience Australia- Specialist Peer Consultant (Community of Peers Project)

2020-2023 SA Mental Health Commissioner

2022-Present Co – Founder Mental Health Peer Work Solutions

I have also participated on the following reference groups:

• National Mental Health Workforce Strategy Taskforce (Training and Education and Peer Workforce Work Groups)
• SA Lived Experience Workforce Taskforce (Chairperson)
• National Mental Health Commission Peer Workforce Development Guidelines Steering Committee
• National Peer Work Certificate IV Qualification Reference Group
• National Mental Health Service Planning Framework, Consumer/Carer Reference Group

Trainer/Educator Lived Experience Australia current

I have just completed a 3 year contract as one of SA Mental Health Commissioners.

Co-founder Mental Health Peer Work solutions (Providing consultancy, peer training, professional development and supervision)

Flinders University Peer training for a research project

Peer worker Safe Space Adelaide Hills.

Co-chair Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Safe Spaces Standards Scoping Study advisory group.

National Initial Assessment and Referral Expert Advisory Group

Better Access Stakeholder Engagement Group

SA Human Rights and Coercion Reduction Committee

SA Mental Health Services Plan Steering Committee

National Mental Health Consumer/Carer Forum

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Mental Health Advisory Group

Consumers Health Forum, Member

Consumer representative General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration

Master Trainer Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training – Living Works 2023 Certificate IV Training and Assessment TAE40116 ACG Global College 2019 TAESS502 Australian Institute of Technology Transfer 2018 TAELLN411 TAFE SA 2017 Updated including CHCPWK005 unit MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA CHAMPIONS PROGRAMME 2016

Certificate IV Training and Assessment TAE40110 DOME 2013 Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health) CHC50308 TAFESA 2011

I approach supervision in the same way I approach peer work. It is about developing an equal relationship where we can chat about what is working well and what might be some of the challenges. Our chat is based around the values and principles of peer work and how we can uphold these. I will share skills I have learned along my career journey to enhance your work practice along with ensuring your own wellbeing and growth.