Health Consumers Tasmania has released a new resource designed to support more thoughtful, respectful and trauma‑informed engagement with consumer representatives and lived‑experience advocates. This reflective tool invites anyone involved in consumer engagement, including health staff, community organisations, service providers and project teams, to pause and consider the perspectives they bring into the engagement process.

Why reflection matters in consumer engagement
Every engagement is shaped by the experiences, assumptions and histories that each person carries. These influences can affect how we listen, how we respond and how safe or valued others feel in the interaction. Taking time to reflect before beginning an engagement helps create a foundation of respect, curiosity and shared understanding.

Approaching this work through a trauma‑informed lens also increases emotional safety for everyone involved. It encourages us to be mindful of power dynamics, both structural and personal, and to consider how these dynamics may affect the way people participate or share their experiences.

About the reflective tool
This new resource offers a series of reflective questions designed to help you think about:

1. Your own perspectives, assumptions and lived experiences

2. The background and experiences of the consumer representative

3. Power dynamics that may influence the interaction

4. How to create a safer, more dignifying engagement environment

5. Ways to support collaboration and mutual respect

These questions are adapted, with permission, from the work of researchers Rebecca Moran and Sophie Ridley, whose 2021 framework Trauma‑Informed and Dignifying Practice in Qualitative Research has informed this resource.

The tool is suitable for anyone preparing to engage with consumers, whether you’re planning a consultation, co‑design session, interview, advisory meeting or informal conversation.

Download the workbook The reflective questions are available on our website and can also be downloaded as a workbook for those who prefer a guided, written format. The workbook can be used individually or as part of team preparation.

👉 Access the reflective questions and download the workbook:
Resources – Health Consumers Tasmania

Supporting meaningful engagement across Tasmania At Health Consumers Tasmania, we believe that meaningful engagement begins with self‑awareness and a commitment to dignity, respect and shared learning. This resource is one small step toward strengthening the quality of consumer engagement across the state.

We invite you to explore the tool, share it with colleagues and incorporate it into your engagement practice.