Lived experience projects evolve thanks to agency insights
Participants in The Learning Collaborative, the landmark Lived and Living Experience Workforce initiative led by SHARC, have reached a significant milestone. The 11 alcohol and other drug and mental health agencies taking part in the 12-month pilot have successfully completed the first half of the project. In addition to an ongoing formal learning program, the […]
Gathering to remember on overdose awareness day
The lives of those lost to overdose will be honoured at an event hosted by SHARC on 1 September 2025. The gathering is being held to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. This initiative acknowledges the profound impact of the loss of loved ones to overdose, while raising […]
Acknowledging our Volunteers
This week is National Volunteer Week. SHARC would like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful volunteers who support our Family Drug and Gambling Helpline, support groups and other program areas. Every day our volunteers make a profound difference in the lives of so many. Our volunteers in addition to connecting with communities, are able to continue […]
Lived experience learning ramps up for LLEAH
The testing and pilot phases of the Lived and Living Experience at Heart program, or LLEAH, are well underway. Launched in November 2024, LLEAH is an organisational support program for Victoria’s mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) sectors. It aims to ensure the invaluable contributions of Lived and Living Experience Workers (LLEW) are […]
Regina Brindle Grant Recipient 2025
We are pleased to announce, Inner South Family and Friends (ISFAF), a voluntary group of family and supporters, as this year’s recipient. Their committed members have been calling for change in the mental health service system for over 30 years. ISFAF plans to use the grant to host a weekend retreat in Bendigo. The goal […]
Together we rise, SHARC’s CEO tells packed Forum
Lived experience workers are more united and more fierce than ever before, Clare Davies told the 2025 Lived and Living Experience Workforce (LLEW) Forum in Melbourne on Thursday. In a rousing keynote speech, she urged LLE workers across the alcohol and other drug and mental health sectors to stay connected and open to each other’s […]
High-Impact Honour for Manal
Warmest congratulations to SHARC’s Manal Shehab, whose tireless efforts to end family violence in faith and diverse communities have been recognised with a national award. Manal has been named the 2025 Woman of Impact by migrant and refugee settlement agency, AMES Australia. The annual award acknowledges women who make a significant difference in the lives […]
SHARC Turns 30
The SHARC community is set to celebrate three decades of transforming lives through our lived experience of alcohol and other drugs, gambling and gambling harm. This year marks three decades since SHARC was formed thanks to the vision of a small group of people committed to supporting each other and others like them. In 1983, […]
Vale Nic Thompson
The SHARC community is profoundly saddened by the loss of Nic Thompson, our beloved Deputy CEO. Her job title doesn’t come close to describing Nic’s place in our community. As well as a deeply respected colleague, she was a confidant, advocate, champion and friend. Nic died suddenly of natural causes at home on 23 January. […]
New resource launched: Stigma posters
New resource launched: Stigma posters We’ve collaborated with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation on a new series of downloadable posters to encourage the use of inclusive and person-centred language to reduce the impact of stigma for people who use AOD. The fact is that alcohol and other drug dependence are some of the most stigmatised […]