It is rare to find someone who is a proficient organiser, a compelling and disciplined advocate and a creative change-maker. But Dr Mercer-Mapstone combines all these attributes in a way that makes her an ideal facilitator or speaker. The enthusiasm and passion with which she brings her core values of equity and diversity to her work encourages others to embrace these values. 

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Rodney Croome AM, Equality Tasmania

The University of Sydney hired Lucy to work with us on developing our institutional approach to Students as Partners. Working with Lucy to design and co-facilitate our event was transformative. Lucy is a truly wonderful facilitator and public speaker. At every stage, she demonstrated expertise and consideration for the specific needs of our institution and event. She is a knowledgeable and expert speaker with a refreshing delivery style that is lively, direct, and frank. As a facilitator she is empathic, structured, and deliberate in the way that she fosters equitable and dynamic spaces for discussion, listening, and insights. We found these qualities to be especially valuable as we tackle complex challenges where difficult conversations are required. I cannot recommend Lucy more highly. 
 

Dr Jessica Frawley, University of Sydney

Dr Mercer-Mapstone demonstrated a high level of expertise in ethical research practice, facilitating lived experience sessions with people who have experienced housing challenges, including homelessness. Dr Mercer-Mapstone approached the sensitive topic with human rights and wellbeing lenses. Feedback from participants was that they felt safe and supported in the sessions, and grateful for a platform to share their experiences. We received a thorough summary report that will form a basis for future policy considerations.

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Matilda McGahey, Homes Tasmania

The Tasmanian Collaboration for Health Improvement engaged Dr Mercer-Mapstone to facilitate a Consumer and Community Working Group. Lucy expertly guided our monthly online meetings where her skill as a facilitator enabled the state-wide diverse working group to develop a safe space. Together they built rapport and co-developed principles and guidelines for inclusive organisational practices. In addition to facilitating the group sessions, Lucy kept an eye on the big picture. All the group members provided positive feedback and I would highly recommend Lucy and Collective Voices Consulting to anyone looking for a change-maker who empowers the voice of lived experience. 

Kerry Turnbull, The Tasmanian Collaboration for Health Improvement

Women’s Health Tasmania has employed Dr Mercer-Mapstone to undertake research for us. She was asked to bring her professional research skills to bear on a topic about which we knew a great deal, but which was new to her. The work required her to scope a project, recruit participants, conduct interviews, analyse content, write the report and suggest recommendations. We were impressed by her skills at each step, but particularly the way she identified nuances and issues around service delivery and client experiences. 

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Jo Flannagan, CEO, Women's Health Tasmania

Lucy has helped shape not only my lived experience advocacy career, but my own personal growth. I’ve been able to watch how Lucy had this innate ability to draw people together to learn from one another. Using a model of distributed leadership, she plays to people's strengths, encourages us to share our lived experiences, and enriches lives.
 

How do I do justice to the impact she's had on our community services sector in Tasmania? Everybody knows who Lucy is. Everybody knows what Lucy does. Everybody says Lucy's a champion. And that only happens by putting yourself waaaaay out there to be deliberately seen and heard. To be always looking for opportunities to bring our advocacy work into the picture and amplify voices that are often the least heard but some of the most powerful. The industry has sat up and listened, politicians have sat up and listened, and people everywhere are reaping the rewards of the incredible work Lucy does.

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Kerrie Dare, Lived Experience Advocate 

All participants seemed to be really engaged throughout the session. You created a great, safe space where people were able to share. This is no mean feat where many people would find this daunting – well done. I heard unsolicited feedback from a colleague about what ‘an amazing facilitator’ you are. I agree completely, you have a real talent for facilitating meaningful learning opportunities.

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Professor Cathy Bovill, University of Edinburgh
 

Dr Mercer-Mapstone gave an incisive, informed, and inspiring address at the Student Voice Australasia symposium 'Exploring Quiet Voices for Impact'. In her keynote, titled “Quiet students or silenced voices? An intersectional and trauma-informed approach to including diverse students in higher education governance and decision-making”, Lucy engaged students and staff around the issues that matter in our sector. Lucy’s keynote challenged leaders in institutions to take action by intentionally creating more inclusive spaces and dismantling barriers for students to participate in decision-making. 
She spoke passionately about how we can enable students to speak from their lived experience, sharing her own story and giving voice to others in the room. Lucy translated complex research into an engaging presentation, related to the audience, and provided generous responses to questions. Feedback from attendees has been resoundingly positive and Lucy has been a delight to work with at every stage. We are keen to invite Lucy back in future years.  
 

Dr Ali Jaquet, Director, University of Southern Queensland