Peer Education and Support Program Graduate, currently Lived Experience Advisor with Council to Homeless Persons: The 2023 Beth Thomson Lifetime Achievement Award:

Joal has just experienced her 10th year of formally contributing to consumer participation as a member of CHP’s PESP team and the wider SHS and has worked hard at utilising her lived experience expertise to make a difference.

Over the years she has shared her considerable knowledge to consultative processes in homelessness policy and programs across various homelessness services and local government. She’s contributed to working groups and provided input into the ongoing discussion of best practice when working with people experiencing homelessness and who have experienced significant trauma. Joal has facilitated focus groups, contributed to training sessions, and as one of sector’s first Peer Support Workers supported people without homes in crisis accommodation. Joal’s insight is invaluable, whether she’s sharing it with media, private organisations, government, policy makers, or using it to support people without homes.