CPSLE training directory
Working in lived experience roles in the mental health and addiction sector is varied and rewarding. You can undertake training in order to make the most of your career in consumer, peer support or lived experience roles. This page provides some options available to you when you are either starting out in lived experience work or if you are looking to grow and develop in your career. This directory is not intended as an exhaustive list of options, so remember to ask your contacts and colleagues about what they have found helpful locally or within your organisation. The list of training opportunities is broken down into foundation training, further training and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, some of which are highlighted as being specific to Lived Experience.
Ways you could get started
- Reach out to people currently working in mental health and addiction services and ask about their role and their work, how they got started and what training they have completed.
- Look out for potential mentors
- Join local lived experience or ‘consumer’ networks
- Consider completing training from the ‘foundation’ training list below
Foundation training
Specific to Lived Experience
Ways you can progress
- Think about your existing transferable skills and passions are and how they might contribute to shaping your career pathway
- Get involved in the Quality and Safety Commission Quality Improvement Programme or Partners in Care programmes.
- If you are interested in consumer advisor work, consider training in auditing
- Look for opportunities to grow other professional skills such as project management, public speaking, community development and facilitation skills.
