A career sparked by the desire to support young people with own experience
Claire’s personal journey of recovery and resilience has not only shaped her career but also transformed the way she supports others facing mental health challenges.
“I often reflect on how I felt during my most difficult moments and consider what others might need from us at Each when facing similar challenges,” Claire shared.
Working alongside the lived and living Experience team, Claire develops training programs, supports peer workers and drives the integration of lived experience into all facets of Each.
When Claire’s work as a youth worker came to an unexpected close, she saw an opportunity that changed everything – a consumer peer worker role at Each.
It wasn’t just a job. It was a chance to turn her lived experience into something powerful.
“I had always wanted to share my experiences with mental health issues, but back then, self-disclosure wasn’t encouraged. When I saw a job that allowed me to do that, I jumped at the opportunity,” she recalled.
One of her fondest memories from those early days is the time spent in the car with support workers, traveling to meet clients and introducing the peer worker role.
“I still fondly remember the great conversations I had in the car with various support workers as they took me out to meet their clients and introduce the consumer peer worker role,” said Claire.
“These moments were special, as we bonded as a team, and I felt fortunate to learn from other staff and their diverse approaches to supporting the community.’
Her first impression of Each?
“No matter which team you spoke with, the staff showed incredible passion and commitment to their clients.”
Overcoming challenges to lead the way
When Claire joined Each, peer work was still a relatively new role in the industry. She was the first peer worker in the newly established site in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs.
“It was challenging to fully understand the consumer peer worker role and how to promote it to the community at first,” Claire said.
To overcome this, she developed her own approach – creating flyers, meeting with support workers, and conducting pop-up visits to introduce herself to clients. This proactive mindset not only established the peer worker role in the community but also set the stage for Claire’s evolving career.
A pivotal moment came when Claire stepped into the National Clinical Peer Lead role – the first leadership position at Each dedicated to peer work.
In this leadership position, she worked to strengthen and unify the peer workforce across mental health, youth, alcohol and other drugs programs.
By supporting staff, she created a positive ripple effect that enhanced client outcomes.
Not long after, she decided to deepen her knowledge by completing both a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, which opened the door to her current educator role.
“This journey helped me gain a leadership role in peer work and, more importantly, allowed me to creatively reflect on the field and strategically implement system changes to support and enhance it. I absolutely love what I do!”
— Claire
A role built on authenticity and connection
For Claire, the most fulfilling part of her role is its variety and the opportunity to connect with people authentically.
“I love the variety this role offers and the opportunity to connect with so many people on a deep and authentic level. It allows me to be creative and contribute to meaningful change. I don’t think I could go back to a role where I couldn’t be authentic, and others couldn’t be either – it just wouldn’t feel congruent,” explained Claire.
To those considering a leading role in lived experience, Claire offers this advice.
“If you enjoy problem-solving, being creative, and engaging with people, you’ll love this work. Strong teamwork, collaboration, and reflection are key – and jokes and banter are a must!”
Looking ahead
When asked about her aspirations, Claire emphasises her hope to make a meaningful difference in the landscape of lived experience, by both influencing systemic change and by connecting with others.
“My aim is to live a balanced life, bringing ease into my days while continuing to make an impact,” Claire said.
Claire’s journey proves that lived experience isn’t just valuable, it’s vital. Her work is shaping a future where authenticity, resilience and connection drive real change.
