Media release – TasCOSS, 17 March 2022
Call for Tasmanians to contribute to innovative project to promote the voices of lived experience
An innovative new partnership is calling on Tasmanians to have their say on the creation of a lived experience platform, which aims to create paid opportunities for Tasmanians living on low incomes to make their voices heard.
TasCOSS CEO Ms Adrienne Picone said the value and critical need for lived experience perspectives to inform policy and services had been acknowledged with increasing urgency in recent years.
“We cannot effectively support Tasmanian communities in the absence of their knowledge, expertise, values and needs,” Ms Picone said.
“The driving force behind the creation of the Community Voice Partnership Program is a unique collaboration between TasCOSS, funded by and in partnership with Aurora Energy, Hydro Tasmania and TasNetworks along with CatholicCare, tagara lia, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) Tasmania and community members, known as TasCollab.
“The aim of TasCollab is to empower communities to address the daily challenges they face, in partnership with the services which support them. We recognise that those who live it, know it best.”
Ms Picone said all Tasmanians with experience of living on a low or inadequate income were strongly encouraged to get involved and have their say in the design of the Community Voice Partnership Program and how it might work best for them.
“Tasmanians are the real experts when it comes to what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet financially in lutruwita/Tasmania, which is why we want to hear your experiences and ideas on how to make things better in your local community,” she said.
“It’s really easy for community members to get involved, simply head online to fill out the short survey.
“TasCollab also invites input from organisations who might engage with the Community Voice Partnership Program — if you’re an organisation and have ideas, have your say in the survey.”
Community Voice Partnership Program survey links:
- Community survey: bit.ly/TasCollabSurvey
- Organisational survey: bit.ly/
TasCollabSurveyOrganisation
If you would prefer to have a chat about this opportunity or would like more information, Tasmanians can contact Dr Lucy Mercer-Mapstone, TasCOSS Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Officer, on (03) 6169 9511 or by emailing [email protected].