Victorian Health Consumer Engagement Leadership Programs

Ready to elevate capabilities in consumer engagement?

Expressions of interest and registrations are now open for the Health Issues Centre’s Victorian Health Consumer Engagement Leadership Programs. These pioneering networks and programs are designed to provide high-quality training, support and education to grow the skills and confidence of consumers and consumer engagement practitioners in the health sector, to:

• Support organisations and individuals to embed meaningful and transformational engagement in their practice; and
• Empower and support consumers and community members to find their voice, grow their agency, draw on their strengths and participate
  meaningfully.

Consumer and consumer engagement practitioners are invited to join one of the following programs:

• Consumer Engagement Practitioners Network
• Consumer Partners Network
• Consumer Partners Mentoring Program

Check out our handy graphic to help you decide which program you should join. And read on for more information on each program.

Consumer Engagement Practitioners Network and Consumer Partners Network

The Consumer Engagement Practitioners Network and Consumer Partners Network build the capability, confidence and contacts of consumer partners and consumer engagement practitioners to engage and influence the design, delivery and improvement of the Victorian health system.

The value of each network comes from bringing together individuals with a common interest where they can interact, collectively learn and share resources and knowledge within a supportive environment. The areas of focus for each network will be determined by the members based on
their needs, interests and challenges they are facing. These networks will function independently of each other, however joint sessions may be hosted if there is an alignment in areas of interest.

Read on for more information on the structure, eligibility and costs, and expressions of interest and registrations.

To download a brochure about the Consumer Engagement Practitioners Network, click here.

To download a brochure about the Consumer Partners Network, click here.

Structure

Each network will meet online monthly (1.5hr per meeting) over a period of 10 months (February to November 2024).

Network meetings may include the following components:

• Training/education sessions;
• Presentations by members;
• Presentations by guest speakers;
• Networking time;
• Questions/brainstorming/problem-solving; and
• Resource-sharing.

The format of the meetings will ultimately be developed by network members and could vary month to month.

Health Issues Centre will provide the following to each network:

• Secretariat support, including scheduling of network meetings, minute-taking and actioning
  meeting outcomes;
• Liaison with network members and their sponsor organisations;
• Chairing or co-chairing meetings;
• Program development, including delivering training and arranging external speakers and
  coordinating other aspects related to program content;
• Managing resources, including uploading meeting recordings and other documents from the
  Networks;
• Ad-hoc support for Network members;
• Evaluation process and reporting.

Eligibility and costs

The networks are open to consumers and consumer engagement practitioners involved in any aspect of the Victorian healthcare system. We are committed to enhancing consumer capabilities from a wide range of backgrounds, with the goal to enhance the diversity of voices that are driving change in the health system to reduce health inequities.

An early-bird fee of $1,500 will be charged for a one-year individual membership to either network. This price is only valid until 8 December 2023. The regular price (applicable after 8 December 2023) is $1,700.

We encourage health services/organisations to sponsor consumers or consumer engagement practitioners to take part in one of these networks. The membership purchase must be approved by the consumer’s sponsor organisation.

Expressions of interest and registrations

Click here to express your interest. Or to register for a membership for the program, please click here.

Consumer Partners Mentoring Program

The Consumer Partners Mentoring Program provides a development pathway for consumers through a peer-to-peer group learning model, supported and guided by the Health Issues Centre. This will enable a safe and secure environment to:

• Support a diverse range of ‘emerging’ and ‘evolving’ consumer partners to develop their skills, knowledge and capabilities; and
• Support ‘expert’ consumers to develop and advance their skills as consumer leaders through mentorship.

Read on for more information on the structure, eligibility and costs, and expressions of interest and registrations.

To download a pamphlet about the program, click here.

Structure

Each group of mentees will meet with their mentor online monthly (1.5hr per meeting) over a period of 10 months (February to November 2024).

In addition, the program will have the following sessions:

• A 1:1 intake interview with the program coordinator to understand more about your needs and goals;
• Launch event (45min, online, all participants), then break into groups (30 min kick-off meetings);
• A mentoring program manual including goal-setting template;
• Half-day celebration event.

Health Issues Centre will provide the following:

• Recruitment and matching of mentors with mentees;
• Provision of resources, materials and meeting scheduling support where needed;
• Launch event and onboarding for groups;
• Comprehensive training program, mentoring manual and coaching for mentors to guide and support positive and influential mentoring practice;
• Ad-hoc support for mentees and mentors as required;
• Evaluation;
• Half-day celebration event at conclusion of program.

Eligibility and costs

This program is open to consumers involved in any aspect of the Victorian healthcare system.

To increase diversity and reach, Health Issues Centre will:

• Recruit for diversity across mentors and mentees; and
• Engage with a wide cross section of organisations.

The program is suited to mentees who demonstrate the following:

• Engaged in a health organisation in a consumer partner or representative role;
• Has support from their organisation to sponsor their participation;
• Would classify as an ‘emerging’ or ‘evolving’ consumer;
• Able to identify some development areas to work on through a mentorship relationship;
• Open to learning and growing in a group context with consumer peers; and
• Located in Victoria.

A fee of $2,000 will be charged for each mentee. Only 30 places are available in the first year of this program, so register soon to secure your place.

We encourage health services/organisations to sponsor consumers or consumer engagement practitioners to take part in this program. The membership purchase must be approved by the consumer’s sponsor organisation.

Expressions of interest and registrations

Click here to express your interest and receive more information. Or to register for a membership to the program, please click here.

We hosted a webinar about the programs on Wednesday 15 November 2023. Our CEO Alison Coughlan and Training, Projects and Development Officer Katherine Burnard summarised what can be expected from the networks/program. The video also features a participant of the pilot program, Lester, who talks about his experiences. Watch here.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to have your questions answered about the programs.