REAL TALK WITH ROX
Questioning assumptions.
Changing lives.
Bringing lived experience into the conversations that shape policy, practice and more human-centred systems.
Through collaboration, consultation and lived experience leadership, I work with organisations and communities to influence policy, strengthen practice and improve outcomes.
The story behind my work
For more than 35 years I've experienced disability, mental health, chronic illness and complex systems not only as a family carer, but through my own lived experience.
I've seen systems from multiple perspectives: as someone seeking support, as someone providing care, as a nurse, as a mental health peer worker and through more than two decades working in government.
That combination has taught me something that continues to shape my work today.
The people most affected by decisions are too often the last to influence them.
It also showed me that many of the most important conversations are still the hardest to have, particularly where experiences don't fit neatly into recognised categories or traditional service boundaries.
Today I bring those perspectives together through consultation, collaboration, writing and individual conversations that challenge assumptions and help create more human-centred policy, practice and systems.
Whether I'm working with an individual, a government agency or an organisation, my goal remains the same:
To ensure lived experience isn't simply acknowledged, but meaningfully embedded where decisions are made.
The Perspective I Bring
Most people encounter disability, mental health or complex systems from one perspective.
I've lived them from many.
For more than 35 years I've navigated disability, mental health, chronic illness and complex systems as a family carer.
Combined with nursing, mental health peer work and more than 20 years in government, these experiences allow me to connect people, policy and practice.
That perspective shapes every conversation I have.
🌿 35+ Years Lived Experience
Disability, mental health, chronic illness and complex systems.
🩺 Registered Nurse
Clinical knowledge informed by practical experience.
💬Mental Health Peer Worker
Recovery-focused practice grounded in lived experience.
🏛️ 20+ Years Government
Policy, leadership, stakeholder engagement and systems improvement.
Real Talk
Real Talk reflections on lived experience, disability, mental health, justice, policy and the systems people are expected to navigate.
New perspectives will be added as the conversation grows.
Every meaningful change starts with a conversation.
Whether you are navigating complexity yourself, seeking lived experience insight, or looking to collaborate on policy, practice or systems change, I’d love to hear from you.