A supportive and welcoming group shaping the future of mental health care.
Our Mental Health Reference Group is made up of passionate individuals who play a vital role in guiding how mental health services are delivered at Sonder and beyond.
Drawing on lived experience, the group helps ensure services are respectful, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of people accessing care, as well as their families, friends, and carers.
Group members live in Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs to represent the local communities we support.
About our Mental Health Reference Group
Benefits:
- Represent your community’s voice and experiences.
- Contribute to service improvements that enhance access and outcomes.
- Help identify gaps and opportunities in existing support.
- Volunteers are supported in their role through orientation and professional development, regular meetings, regular check ins, celebration and recognition of contributions, training opportunities, and many more.
- The group will have a key focus on the development of Sonder’s new Crisis Stabilisation Centre throughout 2026.
The group is comprised of people with lived experience of:
- Mental health or social and emotional wellbeing challenges.
- Alcohol and/or other drug use.
- Homelessness.
- Disability.
- Neurodivergence.
- Supporting others (family members, carers, kin, Elders and more).
To be eligible, individuals must:
- Be aged 18+ years at application.
- Have an interest in wellbeing and advocacy.
- Have capacity to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
- Commit to a 12-month term.
- Have reliable internet access and a device.
- Be located in South Australia.
We especially welcome applications from people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, or LGBTQIA+.
Recruitment now open
Meetings are regularly held online. Occasionally, meetings may take place at a Sonder site.
Members are required to hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) for their state or territory. If you don’t already have one, we can guide you through the process.
A current National Criminal History Check (police check) is also required. We can support you to arrange this if needed.
We are currently accepting applications. Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 16 April 2026.
To share this opportunity with someone who might be interested, you can download our flyer.
Join our Governance Committee
We are also currently seeking expressions of interest for our Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre Governance Committee, which plays a vital role in shaping the future of the centre.
This committee brings together people with lived experience of mental health services to help guide the centre’s ongoing development, enhance the guest experience, and contribute to its strategic direction.
