Expressions of interest for a consumer advisory group

Expressions of interest for a consumer advisory group

Monday, 5 February 2018

Have you used IMHA or VLA's mental health legal service?

We are currently looking for some new members for the 'Speaking from experience' group and would like people who have used Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) or the Mental Health and Disability Law (MHDL) services to apply. Speaking from experience is the consumer advisory group and is made up of people who have a lived experience of using mental health services either in the past or currently. Members are not expected to have any legal background or knowledge. The group mainly works with IMHA and the MHDL teams.

The group meets:

• Date: on the first Monday of each month
• Time: 1–3 pm
• Venue: 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000.

For this stage of your expression of interest, please read the Expectations of SFE members and if interested, please complete the

and return no later than close of business 1 March 2018 to:

Wanda Bennetts, Senior Consumer Consultant – phone (03) 9093 3725 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
Email: Wanda.Bennetts@imha.vic.gov.au

Or post to:

Wanda Bennetts
Senior Consumer Consultant IMHA
GPO Box 4380 Melbourne 3001

Please note: that we will keep your contact details so that we may be in touch if any further opportunities arise. Let us know if you are not happy for us to do this and we will delete your contact details after we have recruited to SFE.

Expectations of SFE members

We will be encouraging as much diversity as possible within the Speaking from experience group membership. As a member of the group, you will be asked to:

• commit to attending meetings in Melbourne for two hours each month (you will be paid for your time, including an additional small amount of preparation/reading time and some travel reimbursement)
• contribute your lived experience thinking and expertise. We would like people to be reflective, innovative and contribute proactively to conversations and tasks
• work as part of the group to support the development of shared strategies that contribute to consumer leadership and participation at Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
• contribute to the thinking around issues at a systems level (systemic advocacy) using your lived experience
• maintain confidentiality.

Application form

If interested, please download the

and return to Wanda Bennetts.