Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group: Michael Elwan’s Appointment

I’m pleased to share that I have been appointed as a member of Lifeline Australia’s Lived Experience Advisory Group.

For me, this appointment matters because lived and living experience should not sit at the edges of systems. It should help shape how organisations think, decide, design, and improve; especially in areas as serious and human as suicide prevention and crisis support.

The Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group appointment reflects the direction of my work over many years. Across practice, leadership, advisory work, research, and public contribution, I have remained committed to strengthening the place of lived/living experience in the rooms where influence sits; policy, governance, service design, improvement, and accountability.

Why the Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group matters

This matters because it reflects a wider shift in how lived and living experience is understood. It is no longer enough to invite people in only to speak after decisions have already been made. Thoughtful organisations are increasingly recognising that lived/living experience has value in strategy, implementation, evaluation, and culture.

That is the lens I bring to my work. I am interested in what makes systems safer, more responsive, more culturally thoughtful, and more accountable to the people they serve. I am also interested in the practical question that often gets avoided; how do we move from good intentions to work that is structured, useful, and real?

What the Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group means for my work

This appointment strengthens a body of work I already offer through LEXs.

• This includes social work supervision for practitioners wanting a reflective, grounded space to think well about complex practice.

• It includes peer workforce supervision that respects the depth, pressure, and leadership often carried by peer workers.

• It includes consultancy, facilitation, training, and project support for NGOs, government, and purpose-led organisations seeking support with lived/living experience leadership, culturally responsive practice, service improvement, and meaningful co-creation.

• It also includes speaking and advisory contributions; particularly where organisations want not just ideas, but thoughtful implementation.

A quiet appointment with real weight

I do not see this as a decorative appointment. I see it as a serious responsibility.

It strengthens my commitment to work that helps systems hold people better; and to support practitioners, peer workers, organisations, and leaders who are trying to build care that feels more human, more responsive, and more accountable.

I’m grateful to Lifeline Australia for the opportunity to contribute through its Lived Experience Advisory Group, and for the trust placed in members to bring lived and living experience perspectives into conversations that matter.

If you are looking for social work supervision, peer workforce supervision, or consultancy, facilitation, training, and project support, you are welcome to get in touch.

Based in Perth, WA, LEXs provides telehealth counselling across Australia for individuals, couples, and NDIS participants. Services extend to Social Work supervision, Peer Work supervision, training, and keynote speaking on men’s mental health, CaLD community wellbeing, and culturally responsive suicide prevention; helping people and organisations make mental-health care more compassionate, inclusive, and effective. LEXs provides services across Australia, supporting clients in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond. To learn more about our work across Australia, visit LEXs' services.