As part of the Western Health Positive Workplace Framework and recognising both the commitment of our employees in supporting each other, as well recognising that sometimes we need to extend additional support to each other during challenging times, we are pleased to introduce our Western Health Peer Supporters. The Peer Support Program is an initiative where trained employees volunteer their time to provide informal and confidential support to all employees and volunteers who may be experiencing challenges.

These volunteers and the program complement other Western Health employee support services such as the Employee Assistance Program and a range of other supports. We see this as an important initiative in further supporting you, our employees; ensuring employee psychosocial safety remains a priority and Western Health is well placed to provide the best support to our people who provide best care.

Please see below for the link to our employee peer supporters and if you have any queries, please reach out to us at WHPeerSupport@wh.org.au

Anne Wright
Director, Organisational Culture and Leadership Development

Peer Support Profiles

  • Mandy Cullen

    A desire to support her team in the best way she could led Mandy Cullen to become part of Western Health’s new Peer Support Program.  

    Peer Supports are trained to offer informal and confidential support to all Western Health employees and volunteers, with a listening ear and armed with practical support.  

    “After many years as a Nursing Unit Manager, I was eager to arm myself with more knowledge of how I could be more supportive to my staff. I’m very happy that has now extended to the whole organisation. 

    “I think the real value in the Peer Support Program is the like-mindedness of the Peer Support Officers. Often we will have a deeper level of understanding because we come from the same organisation.” 

    It’s not surprising that Mandy has been described as a caring and supportive manager, her gentle and calm demeanour makes her approachable and immediately gives a sense of calm. 

    “When people reach out to me, what they’ll find is an active listener, someone who will hear what they’re saying and help navigate the situation. I will allow them the time to talk, and support them to come up with solutions or ideas to move forward. I want people to have ownership over their next steps and succeed. 

    “I’ve also done mental health first aid training, which also really comes into play here too. I am really prepared to be approached by people who may know me, and I can create a safe space for them.” 

  • Sean Fabri

    Becoming a Peer Supporter at Western Health was a formalisation of the support Sean already provided to so many, a friendly ear and a safe space for anyone needing to discuss their feelings, whether it be frustration, anxiety, guilt or grief.

    Sean’s role as Supervisor of Intern Training and International Medical Graduates oversees junior staff, supporting them to have a smooth transition into their career at Western Health. He ensures they get appropriate orientation, supervision, advocacy, support, education and training, and that he is providing a psychologically safe workplace for all.

    When people reach out to Sean for support they can expect a kind and personal approach.

    “I often feel that peer support is something that happens organically during an ordinary conversation, if both parties approach it with goodwill. I believe that people have a right to privacy, and I’m careful to respect boundaries, but there is no set agenda,” Sean said.

    “I value the time I can spend with people who do reach out for support, so I do take this seriously. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a somber exchange. Listening, sharing frustrations, and the occasional absurdity of working in the public sector, can all be done light-heartedly as well as with appropriate gravity when required.”

    Sean has committed to his role as a Peer Supporter, undertaking regular training to support the service he provides, including building on his skills around communication, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, giving feedback and having difficult conversations.

  • Sue Haines

    Sue Haines has worked at Western Health for more than 35 years. Her experience has taken her across the health service, through various departments, meeting many people along the way. With a naturally caring nature, it is the perfect match to see Sue as part of the new Western Health Peer Support Program.  

    Peer Supports are trained to offer informal and confidential support to all Western Health employees and volunteers, with a listening ear and armed with practical support.  

    “Given the size of Western Health, Peer Support Workers play a really important role. We’re here, we’re accessible, we’re approachable. 

    “Having been at Western Health for many years, people know me, and I encourage anyone to reach out. 

    “When people call me, they can be reassured that I’ll listen, it goes from there. Maybe they need someone to just listen, maybe they wanted someone to listen and direct them to the next steps.  

    “This kind of support is something a lot of people do every day, but in a formalised way. Yes we’ve done some training, but we support each other every day across Western Health, it’s the way we do it. It’s a community, we support each other.” 

  • Allison Lamb

    A desire to help people led Allison Lamb to sign up to the Western Health Peer Support Program. 

    “When I heard about the Peer Support Program I thought this is such an amazing initiative, we are very lucky to work in an organisation that values its people. I wanted to be one of the pioneers of the program at Western Health and contribute to its success.” 

    Allison recently commenced in a Project Management role for Operational Readiness of the New Footscray Hospital, but has fulfilled many roles in her time at Western Health where she first started as Nurse Unit Manager of Ward 2E at Sunshine Hospital. 

    Her experience as a Nurse and a mental health first-aider, means providing care and support is second nature. 

    “My approach is to make it as easy as possible for people to reach out and feel supported. There can be a lot of fear taking the first step. My aim is to make people feel comfortable so they can take the next steps to get the support and help they may need,” she said. 

    Anyone who reaches out to Allison can expect a friendly person who will provide a safe space to listen.  

    “I will empower people to help themselves and make decisions that are safe and right for them.” 

  • Eugenia Lambis

    Becoming a Peer Supporter naturally fit with Eugenia Lambis’ passion for wellbeing, inclusion and social justice.  

    As someone who has both received support from and provided support to colleagues, Eugenia understands the importance of the Peer Support Program at Western Health and the benefits it provides. Being able to support and help others , and work towards something positive, is something she feels privileged to do. 

    “We all want to feel like we belong and to be part of a community. The Peer Support Program is one piece of the puzzle to enabling that for everyone at Western Health.” 

    For anyone who reaches out to Eugenia, first and foremost they will find a great listener.   

    “I’m not there to do all the talking, or to fix or save anyone. We’ve heard the term ‘self-determination’ a lot lately – it’s a basic human right and I bring that into my work on a daily basis. It’s also how I approach being a Peer Supporter too.  

    “I’m there to acknowledge whatever is going on for the person, and hold space. I do ask questions and I’m conscious to be respectfully curious, not intrusive.” 

    Peer Supporters are trained to offer informal and confidential support to all Western Health employees and volunteers, with a listening ear and armed with practical support.  

  • Julie Spencer

    Julie Spencer was somewhat of a pioneer of Peer Support in the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department back in 2020. Inspired by the program at Ambulance Victoria that she saw her husband a part of, she knew it would be a great benefit in Sunshine Hospital’s Emergency Department.

    “Life can be difficult at times and then add the unpredictable nature of emergency medicine and it can be devastating. I thought Sunshine ED needed something similar to support staff, so back in 2020 with the support of Western Health , Leonie Hall, Nicole Davies and many others we were able to start a local SHED peer support program and trained 16 staff to be ‘Peer Supporters’.”

    The program ran successfully for around seven months, but when the pandemic hit it went on hiatus.

    When Julie saw that Western Health was introducing an organisation-wide program she jumped at the chance to be involved, and reinvigorate SHED’s peer support program.

    “Peer support to me is a friendly, understanding, non-judgemental ear. It is designed to allow staff to seek help and guidance when dealing with an event or situation that is causing them discomfort or stress.

    “But at the end of the day, it is a referral service. I am not a psychologist, but I do know what services are available to staff to seek further help.”

    Having worked in public health for more than 30 years, Julie understands the pressures and complexities of health care and what that means in relation to staff, patients and their families.

    So when people contact Julie for support, they will be met with a supportive and understanding ear.

    “Peer Support is just that “SUPPORT” – health care professionals need to know that their needs and concerns are real and heard and that there are avenues and people that can offer them support and guidance.”