When I first entered treatment for my substance use, I had no idea what to expect.

What I did know was that I felt this undercurrent of guilt and shame for where my life had taken me and that no one could possibly understand what I had been through and why I was doing the things I was doing.

Then, in that service, I sat opposite a guy, who looked like anyone else but who spoke to me and connected to me like no one has before – I soon found out he was someone who had a lived experience of problematic substance use. He knew my struggles, he knew the emotional toll, he knew the guilt and shame, and he was able to, for the first time in what seemed like forever, give me hope for my future. I immediately felt safe and supported in that service.

The powerful example and impact of lived experience met my journey early, some 12 years ago, and up until today, I still see this remarkable connection that changes lives when people with lived experience connect with those accessing health services.

Recruiting, supporting, and developing people with lived experience is an invaluable practice in therapeutic settings. The lived experience workforce (LEW) offers unique perspectives that are shaped by their own encounters with addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or other complex life experiences. The LEW in therapeutic settings enriches service delivery and promotes empathy, recovery, and a meaningful connection between staff in non-designated lived experience roles, the LEW and the individuals who access our services.

The LEW role models hope and resilience, just like the guy who sat opposite me when I first entered treatment. For lived experience peer support workers (LEPSW) who utilise purposeful disclosure, they demonstrate that healing is possible, which can be particularly powerful for individuals facing similar struggles. It is this lived expertise that often allows LEPSW’s to build trust and rapport more rapidly than traditional professionals, reducing feelings of isolation and breaking down stigma.

However, it is not enough to simply recruit people into lived experience roles, effective support and development are essential – like any workforce. This includes training, peer specific supervision, and clear role definitions to avoid role drift and ensure the LEW are supported to work within their scope. Relevant professional development opportunities should be considered to ensure the LEW grow within their roles, being mindful of scope of practice and career progression.

Finally, recruiting, supporting, and developing a lived experience workforce is both ethically sound and a smart strategic decision. The LEW are catalysts for change and will assist with improving engagement, outcomes, and culture in therapeutic settings. When lived experience is recognised and nurtured, services become more authentic, effective, safe and truly person centred.

Benn Veenker
Manager – Lived Experience Workforce & Advocacy
Turning Point