I feel privileged to have been part of many projects that are making a difference.

Often it's been pioneering work that had never been done before.

Here are case studies of the changes that have inspired me.

If you see something that inspires you, contact me.

Inspiration

I feel privileged to have been part of many projects that are making a difference.

Often it's been pioneering work that had never been done before.

Here are case studies of the changes that have inspired me.

If you see something that inspires you, contact me.

Housing First - Pathways to Inclusion

"A shove in the right direction, that was enough, I think it was just the fact that someone believed in me more than anything else, just someone saying you can do it" Evaluation Participant.

I led an evaluation of the first attempt at implementing the 'Housing First' approach to homelessness. Included a review of utilisation stats and interviews with clients, staff and stakeholders in Mental Health Homeless Team, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Corrections, Housing NZ and Work and Income.

Evaluation Service Provider Community
Homelessness Mental Health Addiction Social Inclusion
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Human Rights and Mental Health

How do we ensure people know their rights and can get help making sure they are honoured? It's a challenging one for sure, but human rights are at the centre of modern society and can help address discrimination and foster social inclusion.

I led the evaluation of Korowai Whaimana (The Empowering Cloak) training - the world’s first education program on mental health and human rights by and for people with lived experience.

Evaluation Government Training
Rights NonDiscrimination Social Inclusion
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Doing It Together: A Story from the Co-production Field

How do we best work together? What happened when we all sit round the same table as people who use mental health services, people who provide them and the academics who research and evaluate them. I led this innovative project with a focus on the shifting landscape of supported housing.    

This project was published in the peer-reviewed Qualitative Research Journal.

Research University Service Provider Community
Homelessness Mental Health Addiction Social Inclusion
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University Challenged - Lived Experience In Academia

How do we best bring lived experience into university research? I was the first 'Consumer/Service User Researcher' at the University of Auckland and sat on the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty Advisory Committee where I provided strategic and operational guidance. I also helped established and keynoted the first Service Users Academic Symposium.

Research University Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health Addictions Social Inclusion
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Gareth Edwards © 2006-2019