The State-wide Consumer-led Research Program has held the first in a series of co-design

workshops to develop a leadership masterclass for those with a lived experience of cancer. This program is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency.

The co-design team is facilitated by the Health Consumer Centre (HCC) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, with diverse consumers from across the state and representatives from the partner organisations: Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC), Regional Trials Network – Victoria (RTN-V), Cancer Council Victoria(CCV), Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (VCCC) and the University of Melbourne (UoM).

Program Manager, Pauline Ryan said, “The workshops were a pivotal step in shaping a

pioneering program that truly reflects the needs, experiences, and aspirations of those with lived experience of cancer. By bringing together diverse voices and expertise, we are laying the foundation for a lived experience leadership program that will drive meaningful change in the cancer sector. The co-design team will help shape a transformative masterclass that strengthens leadership skills, fosters collaboration, and enhances the impact of lived experience in healthcare decision-making.”

Lived experience advisor, Rochelle Serry said, “Developing a dedicated program ensuresconsumers have the skills, support, and platform to contribute meaningfully — turninginsight into impact.”

The leadership masterclass is due to commence in July 2025, to stay up to date with the program, please check out the website: https://vcccalliance.org.au/cancer-consumer-led-research-partnership or contact the MPCCC Consumer Liaison Coordinator, Cassie Haynes at cassie.haynes@monash.edu for more information.

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