Danny’s Story

Danny is a younger man with experience of sleeping rough on the streets and couch surfing due to being evicted from his rental property following missed rent payments resulting from his job loss. He was recently asked by his case worker if he would be interested in sitting on a Lived Experience Advisory Group to help guide a specialist homelessness service organisation’s policy and service programming.

Danny now participates in a group of 10 lived experience advocates, attending monthly meetings, facilitated by the organisation. Meetings help to connect members and create a positive dynamic. Members received training in facilitation, support networks, and will receive training in public speaking, negotiation and other subjects. Members are appropriately paid.

Danny enjoys the opportunity to contribute to ensuring people that are going through what he did have better support and other people never experience homelessness. He finds that his confidence and self-esteem have improved. He feels this experience will also assist him in future employment.