Lived and living experience
Your experience helps create better care for everyone.
At Each, we know that personal experience of health challenges brings valuable insights and understanding to the way we provide care.
What is lived and living experience?
Lived and living experience means having direct personal experience of health or mental health challenges. This could include:
- managing a physical health condition or mental health challenges
- caring for someone with ongoing health or mental health needs
- supporting a family member or friend with their health needs
- finding your way through healthcare and support systems.
Our staff bring their own diverse lived and living experience to their work, helping shape services that respond to different needs and perspectives.
How we include lived and living experience
Welcoming staff who bring their own health and mental health experiences to their work.
Listening to your feedback about our services.
Working toward creating dedicated lived experience roles.
Developing ways to better support staff who choose to share their experiences.
Why this matters
Research shows that including people with lived and living experience in healthcare leads to better care. The Royal Commission into Victoria's mental health system also highlighted the importance of including more people with lived experience in health services. This aims to help make care more responsive to individual needs.
Work while you study
Peer cadet program
Your lived experience is valuable and could open doors to a rewarding career. In our 10-month peer cadet program, you'll work toward your Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work while learning from mentors who understand what you've been through. You’ll gain practical skills and experience in mental health, alcohol and drug and family violence support.
Applications are closed – reopening in May 2026.
Work with us
Interested in bringing your lived experience to a role at Each?
See our current opportunities