Clients, service-users, help-seekers – we’ve heard these terms before, but what does it look like to work alongside people with a lived experience in the not-for-profit sector, rather than on behalf of them?

This workshop will take a deep dive into the emerging practice of lived experience, as well as the more traditional forms of consumer participation: it’s history, what it looks like in the context of social services and exploring how the community sector can shift it’s thinking to seeing those with a lived experience as peers in the space of social justice.

This workshop also aims to challenge some of the deep-seated beliefs we have about ‘clients’, how they are represented in the wider community and within the media, and explore unique ways of incorporating lived experience as part of our practice. Ensuring diversity of experience has a seat at the table sees us all enriched by its offerings.

This workshop is a dynamic learning experience developed to challenge our thinking and draw out the wisdom in the room.

Who should attend?

This workshop has been developed for people working in the not-for-profit or for purpose sector. It is for anyone working in not-for-profit organisations alongside people with lived experience.

About the facilitator

Morgan Cataldo has worked within the social services sector for the past ten years. She is passionate about transforming traditional ways of doing advocacy, in particular, looking at how centering the lived experience of those whose voices aren't traditionally heard can affect social change. 

Morgan found her passion for participatory practice as a peer educator in the field of Harm Reduction, going on to work in a range of policy, advocacy and service development roles within the for purpose sector. 

Morgan was most recently the Lived Experience Service Development Worker at Launch Housing and is currently the Project Officer Youth Engagement at Berry Street, Victoria's largest independent child and family services organisation.