The Community Health Educator Program in Shepparton supported by Women’s Health Goulburn North East, will deliver a six-day training program at St Paul’s African House commencing April 7. An online introduction to the program will be available using Zoom on Friday 19 March at 8:00 – 8:45am.
The Community Health Educator Program in Shepparton auspiced by Women’s Health Goulburn North East, is co convened by Lorna Gillespie and Christine Nunn. The Greater Shepparton Foundation and Ethnic Council Shepparton and District are providing initial funding to support the development and evaluation of a local Community Health Educator Program Program. The aim is to train 12 multicultural women who will come from different language and cultural groups and including a mix of women currently employed in health and community services and community members who are committed to supporting their community and/or aspire to work in these fields. This will improve the:
1. health literacy and capacity of the refugee and migrant communities; and
2. health literacy environment in Shepparton including infrastructure, people, policies and relationships
What does a Community Health Educator do?
A Community Health Educator provides their community with: a greater awareness and understanding of: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mental Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Prevention of Violence Against Women and Making Healthy Choices in both a local and Australian context, and an understanding of services and where to source assistance and advice for health, safety and legal issues. Community Health Educator’s use their cultural skills and knowledge to negotiate and communicate between communities and organisations and services, they help to build connections and understanding with communities beyond language.
A 6 day training program commences April 7 at St Paul’s African House, utilising local experts in health a law together with Chris and Lorna. We are eager to get as many people as possible to listen in as the next stage is ensuring all organisations are fully utilising the knowledge of the 12 Community Health Educator Program elements.
Introduction
Friday 19 March from 8:00am – 8:45am
Online with ZOOM – a link will be sent to you when you register here.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate help with family violence call 000 or for some advice contact Safe Steps on www.safesteps.org.au or call 1800 015 188
Media contact: John Duck 0408 336076.
Family Violence statistics:
- One in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Almost one in five has experienced sexual violence.
- Almost 17 per cent of women in Australia have experienced violence by a partner.
- On average, one woman is killed every week at the hands of their partner.
- Violence against women and their children doesn’t just have a human cost. The economic cost to Australia is around $13.6 billion each year. Without action, this will rise to 15.6 billion by 2022.
