Brendan Ritchie is the Manager for Peer Projects, a program at the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) in Victoria. His role includes managing the operations and planning of the program, support, supervision and advocacy for the AOD lived experience workforce, involvement in lived experience initiatives and projects including overseeing SHARC’s Peer Mentors in Justice program and consultancy and training for peer workers and organisations. Brendan has a background in AOD treatment services and business management, holds qualifications in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and Mental Health (MH), Clinical Supervision and Leadership and Management. Brendan combines these skills and knowledge with his own direct lived experience of the AOD and MH sector to advocate for cultural and social change, providing encouragement and support to the current workforce, reinforcing the value of the lived experience discipline throughout health services.