Ph: 1300 411 461 | info@rosesintheocean.com.au / www.rosesintheocean.com.au / © 2017

Mentoring Program and Job Description

Ph: 1300 411 461 | info@rosesintheocean.com.au / www.rosesintheocean.com.au / © 2017

Roses in the Ocean

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Roses in the Ocean was founded on, and operates through the lens of lived experience of suicide. We exist to change the way suicide is spoken about, understood and prevented, and pride ourselves on successfully operating at a grass roots level within communities and at a strategic and operational level with non-government organisations, the private sector and government.

We play a significant multi sectorial advisory and consulting role with regards to lived experience engagement; work closely with Primary Health Networks across Australia to ensure lived experience is meaningfully engaged to inform regional Suicide Prevention Action Plans; and have established partnerships and collaborative initiatives with numerous organisations within the suicide prevention, mental health and workplace wellbeing sectors.

As a lead organisation for lived experience of suicide in Australia, we are focussed on building a safe, trained and supported Lived Experience “Workforce” with the expertise and skills needed to bring the lived experience as a voice of change in all aspects of suicide prevention. We do this through offering a range of capacity building workshops and training opportunities for people with a lived experience of suicide. All of our workshops and programs are designed to empower people to engage meaningfully in suicide prevention activity in their local communities and on Lived Experience Reference Groups, in ways that are relevant to their expertise and desired level of involvement.

In order to leverage the skills, capabilities and expertise of people with a lived experience of suicide, we first must ensure that these people are ready to be involved, are safe and supported, are trained in appropriate messaging and language, and possess current and accurate suicide and suicide prevention knowledge.

Recognising the importance of evidence based practice, Roses in the Ocean is currently progressing activity with a leading Australian University to determine the impact of our lived experience activity and inform continuous improvement.

Roses in the Ocean defines lived experience as . . .…having experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, cared for

someone who has been suicidal, or been bereaved by suicide.

Our strong collaborative beliefs see us also working alongside PHN’s, Community groups, Suicide Prevention Networks, Non-Government Organisations, and corporate organisations to identify, screen and develop their own Lived Experience Reference Groups, which we continue to provide support to through our established Mentoring Program.

All Roses in the Ocean programs and workshops are lived experience informed and delivered.

Ph: 1300 411 461 | info@rosesintheocean.com.au / www.rosesintheocean.com.au / © 2017

Our Lived Experience Collective

Our Mentoring Program

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Roses in the Ocean is committed to supporting our lived experience people, and as such we invite them to be part of our Mentoring Program. All of our Mentors have their own lived experience of suicide and have been actively involved in suicide prevention activity for some time.

Mentoring involves one-on-one phone conversations, group teleconferences and a closed Facebook page. Ongoing Mentoring ensures our people are supported as they develop their skills working within the suicide prevention space and have the opportunity to continue to expand their perspectives on suicide through ongoing group connection.

We also recognise that our Mentors require support and ongoing skill development, and as such are provided with opportunities to connect with each and for further skill development to assist them in their roles.

Ph: 1300 411 461 | info@rosesintheocean.com.au / www.rosesintheocean.com.au / © 2017

Job Description - MentorRole and ResponsibilitiesThe role of the Roses in the Ocean Mentor is to provide guidance and support to members of the Lived Experience Collective within a structured Mentoring Program. The people they mentor will have completed one or more Roses in the Ocean lived experience capacity building programs, and may be engaging in suicide prevention activities and initiatives of varying nature and frequency.

Roses in the Ocean Mentors do not undertake counselling services but rather refer people to their relevant support networks and other appropriate resources if required.

Pre-requisites and How to ApplyAll Roses in the Ocean Mentors must have a lived experience of suicide as defined by Roses in the Ocean and participate in at least one capacity building program with their assigned volunteers.

Once an Expression of Interest to be a Mentor has been received, a telephone interview will be conducted, and arrangements made to join the next available program in your region. All costs associated with attending the program will be covered by Roses in the Ocean.

As a Roses in the Ocean Mentor, you can expect to:Provide encouragement and advice on the role the volunteer is undertaking - this may be as a Lived Experience Speaker, member of a LE Advisory/reference group or a volunteer in another capacity

Contact your assigned volunteers monthly or bi-monthly dependant upon the role they are undertaking, and occasionally at other times to support a particular event such as a speaking engagement.

Record all contact with the volunteers under your mentorship by using the appropriate recording tool as provided

Maintain the Lived Experience Collective Register with current contact details and activity of your assigned Volunteers.

Actively engage with the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience Collective through the closed Facebook page as appropriate

Encourage volunteers to Implement their self care plans and activate support networks as required, keeping the Mentor Manager informed of any additional support required.

Contribute meaningfully to the ongoing improvements of the Mentor Program

Participate in quarterly Mentors Teleconference with the Roses in the Ocean Mentor Manager

Submit a monthly Paid Participation activity form to the Mentor Manager

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