Sue Belmore

About me

I have been working in the area of lived experience peer work within mental health services for the last 17 years incorporating consulting to both NGO’s and public mental health services on the contribution lived experience can make to mental health services. This deep conviction arising from my own lived experience of mental health challenges. I have been supervising lived experience peers for 9 years. Currently I am the discipline lead for the lived experience workforce across the Alfred Mental Health and Addition service. In my role I directly support and supervise 2 senior peer workers who are trainees supervising several members of the peer workforce. In addition, I support another 6 peer workers in individual supervision sessions and run group supervision discussions.
I have been a presenter at the TheMHS conference, the Victorian Mental Health Social Work conference and other mental health events; presenting on the need for the inclusion of lived experience ‘wisdom’ as part of professional mental health education. I enjoy being in nature which plays an important part in my wellbeing. While I do not follow any specific religion, I have had a Buddhist/spiritual teacher for the past 22 years. Several of these teachings and discussions have formed a large part of my recovery journey along with the hearing voices network.

My experience

Lived experience consultant – Assisting public mental health services with the integration of training and supervision of peer work within their clinical services. (6 Years)
Lived experience educator - Mind Recovery College, course design and delivery 1.5 years
Program Manger Voices Vic (Prahran Mission – Uniting Care) 1.5 years year (supervision of workforce part of this role)
Emergency Relief Manager – Prahran mission, supporting a workforce of 10 volunteers 2 years
Consumer peer work – residential drug and Alcohol setting 2 years

My current role/work

I am currently the Lived Experience Peer Workforce Co-ordinator for the Alfred Mental Health and Addiction service. My role is to influence continuous improvement of programs to be further driven by consumer directed needs delivered by the Alfred Mental Health and Addiction services. This includes experience in an acute inpatient setting, community delivered services, and residential services. I support lived experience peer workers through reflective practice, individual supervision and groups supervision to be able to increase their Knowledge, skills, and their inclusion of the lived experience expertise imbedded within the multidiscipline teams. The role also includes recruitment, training, and discipline specific practice development. I also work as a private consultant within other mental health services as required.

My training

• Intentional Peer Support (IPS 5 Day training)
• Certificate – Consumer Perspective Supervision
• Hearing Voices Training
• Trauma informed practice
• Family Violence Confidently Practices
• Group Facilitation Training
• Certificate in Mindfulness
• Cert 4 Training and Assessment (on going)

My approach to supervision

As a supervisee in my early peer work, I was fortunate to have an excellent supervisor who played an important role in my development. So, I know firsthand how good supervision can support a peer workers ability to grow their skills in a safe supported space. Validating experiential knowledge and promoting acceptance and meaning through a shared reflective practice is at the centre of my lived experience supervision. I draw on many tools where they are appropriate. I come from a strength base and recovery place. I share my stories, listen to the other, share my vulnerability and honesty and have learnt to sit with and own my own discomfort. I build a space where each feels safe, where boundaries can be negotiated and renegotiated. Where applicable I draw on the history of peer work and current research which can bring empowerment and knowledge to the space for the supervisee to also draw upon.
For me what the consumer perspective supervision reflective space should offer both the supervisor and supervisee a place where we can explore making sense out of our uncertainty in our work. A safe place where we are free to explore our values and beliefs as they relate to the values of peer work; the courage to know its ok to feel uncertain; and that we are competent professionals who can and should challenge practices (the dignity of speaking up) that are not in line with the consumer perspective. It is a place where we continue to reflect together and question whether the values that make peer support different are thriving in their role. We work together around supporting areas where this is falling short.