This is a new section to our twice yearly e-newsletter. We realise that while many of you reading this do work with some members of our team, many of you don’t know who we are!
To change this, we have decided to share with you an interview with one of our team members in each of these e-newsletters.
In December 2022, we shared our interview with Kimberley Wriedt. This month, Naomi Chapman has kindly agreed to be interviewed.
Name: Naomi Chapman
Job title: Consumer Consultant
Qualifications: Bachelor of IT (Swinburne University)
Time at VTMH: 6 years
Tell us your work story: I was a consumer representative for nearly 12 months at North West Area Mental Health, also known as Waratah Clinic, prior to commencing with VTMH in 2017. This included sitting on the board of ‘C-Drive’ (Consumer Drive), playing a key role in the ‘Create 2’ Art Exhibition for consumers and budding artists, and co-facilitating nurse’s intake sessions with fellow consumers.
I studied IT at Swinburne University and worked in the IT industry for 16 years before transitioning to my current Consumer Consultant role, which I consider a more meaningful vocation. I am also a practising Christian, which has helped me greatly in my recovery journey.
What attracted you to this role at VTMH? The opportunity to use my lived experience to bring to life concepts concerning culturally responsive care, to have something meaningful come out of my mental health challenges.
Proudest achievement/s while working at VTMH: Co-facilitating our Lived Experience Community of Practice with Abie, Ben and Olivia (three of my VTMH colleagues).
What do you hope for and envision for the future of VTMH? I hope that VTMH grows in funding and expertise so that we remain the lead transcultural and intersectional mental health service across the state.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The people in my team including my manager Adriana and lived experience co-worker Olivia. Everyone in the team is proactive, helpful and very knowledgeable in their fields which makes coming to work a pleasant and motivating experience.
What do you like to do in your free time? I hand out gospel tracts each Saturday in the city (corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets), I also go to church on Sundays. I catch up with my brother Ben, a new Christian, each Tuesday on Teams for fellowship. My hubby and I also have date night each Saturday where we try out local restaurants.
What’s the last book you read? Dawn of the Antichrist by Donny Budinsky.
What’s the first concert you ever attended? Metallica or possibly Peter Gabriel.
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list? Jerusalem, to see places where Christ and his disciples lived, died and worked.
Tell us something we might be surprised to hear about you? I play the Scottish bagpipes and studied music in year 12 (playing that instrument).