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.

Through LEXs, I provide Social Work Supervision, Lived Experience Leadership Supervision and Frontline Supervision. I also provide training and workshops for organisational teams, practitioners, carers and communities, alongside consultancy, facilitation and speaking. The purpose and scope are agreed for each engagement.

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 supervision, training or support with a defined organisational task, explore the current LEXs services or get in touch.

LEXs is Michael Elwan's Perth-based practice, working online across Australia. Services include training and workshops, lived experience consultancy, Social Work Supervision, Lived Experience Leadership Supervision, Frontline Supervision, therapy and keynote speaking. Training and workshops can be commissioned for organisational leaders, practitioners and frontline teams, and carers, families and communities. Explore LEXs services.