Get involved

Get involved in the National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network

We would love for CHARLEE to be a community hub where people can come to share information, find helpful resources and connect through shared experiences. Interested in getting involved? Start now by joining the national LGBTIQA+ lived experience network.

Join the national LGBTIQA+ lived experience network

The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network is a community of LGBTQIA+ people with lived experience of suicide, working to share their story and experiences to help advocate and shape LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention work. We would love to have you join us.

Click here to find the Expression of Interest form.

What are the opportunities available to me?

The opportunities through our National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network will change over time. Our Bulletin mailing list where you will notify you about a range of opportunities, including:  

  • Lived experience advisory groups at Switchboard

  • Invitations to contribute your story to campaigns and newsletters

  • Opportunities to be involved in government and funders co-design activities

  • Workshops and social events

What is the process for joining the Lived Experience Network?

  • Fill in an Expression of Interest (EOI) Link is here:

  • Meet with a Switchboard Suicide Prevention staff member over Zoom or phone call

  • We will add your contact details to our Bulletin email list for lived experience opportunities

  • Consider each opportunity to see if it is right for you

You can also participate in the OUTspoken introduction series, which are advertised via the Bulletin. This will strengthen your skills in sharing your lived experience and offer you an opportunity to connect with out LGBTIQA+ people who identify with having lived experiences of suicide.

What is the OUTspoken introduction series?

We offer a free introduction series to LGBTIQA+ people who are involved in the Lived Experience Network. This series runs over six sessions and will support participants to tell their stories, explore strategies to create change and undertake advocacy, and tools to effectively participate in co-design. These sessions are action based and will also be used for co-design for Switchboard Suicide Prevention Projects.

Dates and intake sessions for the upcoming OUTspoken series will be distributed through the Lived Experience email Bulletin.

The next series of OUTspoken Sessions will commence Tuesday 24 September 2024.

Who can join the Lived Experience Network?

The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network is only for LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+. This means you must identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities and be over 18.

Our network is open to individuals who have any form of lived experience. This could be having experienced thoughts of suicide, suicidal behaviour, cared for someone through suicidal crisis, been bereaved through suicide or live with on-going suicidality.

The network is open to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.

Do your workers have lived experiences?

Yes, our suicide prevention staff identify with having lived experience of suicide and being LGBTIQA+. Just like the diversity of our communities, our staff have different experiences, different identities and different strengths.

Who can I contact about the lived experience network?  

You can contact our Lived Experience Coordinator via email: livedexperiencenetwork@switchboard.org.au

We’re happy to answer any of your questions. We will try to be in contact within 3 working days.

Charlee takes a no wrong door approach and seeks to create a safer space designed by LGBTIQA+ peers, to connect other peers and supporters to resources that better reflect and address the experiences often faced by our communities.