Bendigo Community Health Services

A big warm welcome to the Achievement Program to White Hills Aspire. The early education centre has recently committed to achieving a healthier environment for working and learning, thanks to our Health Promotion team.
Any kinder, school or workplace can join the program, achieve healthy milestones, and big rewards like sports equipment, gardening goods and healthy cooking appliances.
For more info call us on 5406 1200 and ask for Health Promotion!

HEALTHY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM 🍎

We are excited to share that we are participating in the Healthy Early Childhood Services-Achievement Program.

We recently completed our first key health area-“Mental Health and Wellbeing,” earning us a sports kit as a token of achievement!

A special shout-out to Janelle for her leadership in the program!

Our Health Promotion team is getting ready for a big Mental Health Month of sharing the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’. This beautifully simple checklist introduces ways to improve your psychological and emotional health, based on extensive international research.

Read on for details...

Get ready for Mental Health Month 2024 Our Health Promotion team is getting ready for a big Mental Health Month of sharing the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’. This beautifully simple checklist introduces ways to improve your psychological and emotional health, based on extensive international research. A healthy mind is just as important as a...

Enrolments for term 4 of our smalltalk Supported Playgroups are now open and our facilitator Tiffany Holschier would love to see you at one of her sessions!

smalltalk is a free playgroup with a program that’s been designed to help parents be their best selves. It’s a set of evidence-based strategies that can be used to provide an environment for kids to thrive in.

"Our sessions provide the time, space and resources for families to come along and have that quality time together, all while meeting other people and potentially making lifelong friendships,” she says.

Sessions run during school terms in White Hills, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk North, Heathcote and Long Gully.

For more information on smalltalk supported playgroup contact Tiffany at [email protected]
or read more about smalltalk here: https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/1152-the-big-help-that-smalltalk-offers

Any green thumb will say there’s an element of trial and error when it comes to gardening to local conditions. So imagine how much there is to learn when arriving from a different country.

Karen people love gardening, and it’s traditionally a big part of their lives. But growing food in Bendigo is very different from the warm climate of their home country of Myanmar or in the refugee camps of Thailand, where many have spent decades of their lives.

Bendigo Community Health Services' new Food Hub Project session is helping fast-track the learning process, thanks to a partnership between our Refugee and Cultural Diversity team and the food growing brains trust that is Bendigo Foodshare and Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre Inc.

Growing together in Bendigo Any green thumb will say there’s an element of trial and error when it comes to gardening to local conditions. So imagine how much there is to learn when arriving from a different country. Karen people love gardening, and it’s traditionally a big part of their lives. But growing food in Bendigo ...

Bendigo Family Day Care celebrated its educators on Early Childhood Educator Day this month, with a dinner and years of service recognition.

Doris Rechter celebrated a phenomenal 40 years of ongoing education and care.

Trudy Cook celebrated 30 years of service and Wendy, Jegatha and Kylie celebrated 10 years of service, with many more years to come.

We thank all of our amazing educators for their dedication, warmth, care, kindness and professionalism to our families, children and community.

If you are interested in running a successful, profitable child care business from your home, contact the team on 5406 1200 or [email protected]

Nitazenes. They've been in the news recently, have you heard of them?

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids, meaning they're made in a lab. They were originally developed and tested by pharmaceutical companies in the 1950s but were deemed too dangerous to use.

Nitazenes are as potent, if not more potent, than fentanyl. They are increasingly being found in other drugs too, adding an even more dangerous element to the risk of an accidental overdose.

“So far, nitazenes have been found in co***ne, m**h, synthetic cannabis, M**A, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and heroin,” says BCHS Mobile Drug Safety Worker Tim Townsend.

Understanding what to do when someone has overdosed has never been more critical, Tim says.

“Knowing where to get and how to use medication like Naloxone or Nyxoid can mean the difference between life or death.
“BCHS Mobile Needle Syringe Program (NSP) and the BCHS Pharmacotherapy Clinic can provide free Naloxone and Nyxoid and we can show you how to safely administer the medicines.”
Call BCHS on 1800 636 514.

Zahir, Casey, Tha Hay and Sahar took part in the Bendigo TAFE R U OK? Day event this week. As our Culturally Sensitive Counselling Program team, they're big fans of asking the question. The team works with people of refugee background providing counselling, support, advocacy and community capacity building programs. We 💛 their work.

R U OK? We asked the question today. We also shared morning tea across our sites, plus words of gratitude and care. We're thankful for so much, but we know not every day is so sunny. So, ask the question. It could make such a difference in someone's life 💛

With thanks to Health Promotion work placement student Lann for coordinating our R U OK? Day activities. Lann (pic 1) is studying Health Science & Rehabilitation Counselling at La Trobe University, Bendigo. It's great to have her here.

Is Bendigo Community Health Services important to you and your health and wellbeing?
Don’t miss the chance to share your thoughts.
Your answers will help us understand the difference community health is making in helping keep you healthy and well.
Take the survey and be in with a chance to win a $50 grocery voucher.
https://forms.gle/1w7vJfCJsiXhpXEMA

Can you write down one thing that you can do today for your wellbeing? 📝

This is the question Nurse Practitioner Louise asked of women attending our Womens Health Week sessions this week. Suggestions from the group included going for a walk, reading your favourite book, or even doing your pelvic floor exercises! 📖
This week we were proud to host a series of empowering events for Women’s Health Week. Our women’s sexual and reproductive health team delivered multiple insightful talks focused on important health topics for women. We also took the time to focus on our own team with a meditation session, which was a wonderful opportunity to relax and reset 🧘

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make Women’s Health Week a success! Especially our Health Promotion student Megan, who has been working with the Sexual and Reproductive Health team to plan our Women’s Health Week celebrations.

Together we continue to support and empower women in our community 💪

Spring has sprung, and so has the latest edition of our community newsletter! Click the link below to read our latest news, plus give your brain a workout with our Word Search!

https://www.paperturn-view.com/?pid=ODg8823717&v=3.2

Happy
Some of our Bendigo Family Day Care groups enjoyed a special storytime with Lorraine at the Bendigo Library this morning. And as it's also the books had a distinct Australian theme, such as Pamela Allen's Waddle Giggle Gargle, about a swooping magpie. Lorraine says there's a maggie nesting just outside the library at the moment - look up next time you're passing!
Wishing all our wonderful educators a great day. Anyone interested in joining the team can call us on 5406 1200 or email [email protected]

From the moment you step through the front gate of Donna McArthur’s Kangaroo Flat home, you know you’re somewhere special.

There’s the little rowboat-turned sandpit in the front garden, the patio of tiny tables and outdoor toys, the warm welcome at the door and the sound of happy kids in the living room.

We're celebrating Donna and all our Bendigo Family Day Care team, plus encouraging others to come on board, for tomorrow's Early Childhood Educators Day.

A day for Donna and her fellow Bendigo Family Day Care Educators From the moment you step through the front gate of Donna McArthur’s Kangaroo Flat home, you know you’re somewhere special. There’s the little rowboat-turned sandpit in the front garden, the front patio of tiny tables and outdoor toys, the warm welcome at the front door and the sound of happy k...

The theme was ‘together we can’, and together we did mark a day special to many - International Overdose Awareness Day.

A number of local organisations, including the Salvation Army, Thorne Harbour Health, Australian Community Support Organisation, Youth Support + Advocacy Service, and Bendigo District Aboriginal Corporation, as well as the community gathered in the Bendigo Library Gardens to remember loved ones lost. There was a delicious free BBQ, some lawn games, a wonderful affirmation tree to attach notes to and, of course, a number of support services on standby to answer any questions.

“It was an opportunity for everyone to engage with local services around overdosing – what it may look like and also what an individual can do if they think someone has overdosed,” Tim says.

Thank you so much to everyone for coming down.

We're proud to now feature a new, dedicated multi-million dollar wellbeing centre for people seeking support with dependency issues.
Premier The Hon Jacinta Allan MP officially opened the centre today, marking a major milestone during community health’s 50th year in the city.
Privately situated off Holdsworth Road, Wanyanimbik Wayawan has been established thanks to almost $4 million from the Victorian Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
Services are already operating from the site, providing support and encouragement for people to make lasting lifestyle changes, in keeping with the centre's name.
Wanyanimbik Wayawan means ‘finding myself’ in the local Djarra language, and is based on the BCHS philosophy of discovery, not just recovery.
Many thanks to our wonderful staff, partners, political representatives and guests who celebrated the opening this morning.
Full story on our website https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/1166-locals-discover-skills-for-life-at-wanyanimbik-wayawan-bchs-new-alcohol-and-other-drugs-wellbeing-centre

BCHS staff have been donning our best purple outfits this week in preparation for Wear it Purple Day tomorrow. WIPD is an opportunity to show support and respect for rainbow young people around the world.
Pictured here are members of our Allied Health, Women’s Health and Health Promotion teams 💜💜

We welcomed Bendigo UFS Pharmacies Community Pharmacist Jessica Thornton to our Hargreaves Street site today, to ensure some of our clients of refugee background are on the right track with their medicines.

Jessica is part of the In-home Medicines Review Program, which does a great job of visiting people who are taking multiple medicines for all-important reviews, in their homes. The program has been running for approximately 20 years, but Jessica had never been to the house of a Karen person.

BCHS Refugee Nurse Veronica Steegs recognised a need for the service for her clients, so invited Jessica to start undertaking in-home reviews, in-house at BCHS after referral from our doctors.
Full story on our website.
https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/1165-bchs-provides-a-homely-place-for-medicine-reviews

We're seeking a Senior Leader Information Management and Technology.

Oversee all aspects of our information systems and technology infrastructure.

Bring your strong background in IT management, your excellent leadership skills, and passion for leveraging technology to this fulltime, ongoing position within our dedicated and welcoming team.

Applications are now open until Monday, September 16.
https://www.seek.com.au/job/78394361?ref=cm-ui

This Friday is International Overdose Awareness Day.

We're joining with the The Salvation Army Bendigo, Thorne Harbour Health, Australian Community Support Organisation, Youth Support + Advocacy Service, and Bendigo District Aboriginal Corporation to host a free community event and barbecue in the Bendigo Library Gardens from noon to 2pm.
If it's raining, we'll be in the Trades Hall in View Street.
Everyone is welcome this Friday, August 30. Details and full story on our blog.
https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/1160-coming-together-for-international-overdose-awareness-day

Celebrate and learn about Karen culture, in Bendigo tomorrow.

Attention all residents aged 18 years and older living in Greater Bendigo - we want to hear from you!

Take our 5-minute survey on healthy eating, physical activity and stopping smoking/vaping. Your answers will help inform the work we do in the community. All responses are confidential and anonymous. Here's the survey link:
https://forms.office.com/r/0y3K7SnLZj?origin=lprLink

We LOVE these sexual and reproductive health videos for Filipino and Karen speakers and people who are deaf or hard of hearing, from our friends at Women's Health Loddon Mallee

Bendigo Karen Youth Network

Accessible Health - Women’s Health Loddon Mallee A Video Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women

Most of us have dreamt of an extreme career change at some point in life. Former tradies Jason Hardy and John Taylor are currently living theirs, thanks to a State Government initiative to bolster Victoria’s alcohol and other drugs workforce.

Former bricklayer Jason and baker John are Bendigo Community Health Services’ first Alcohol and Other Drugs trainees. They’re currently on a 12-month rotation to work in and learn about our AOD services, while completing a double diploma in AOD and Mental Health.

“It’s a massive change,” Jason says. “There’s not one specific thing that’s different, it’s all of it. I’d been laying bricks for ten years, but I’d wanted to do som**hing like this for a while.”

Read the full story on our website
https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/1159-life-lessons-and-personal-rewards-for-bchs-first-aod-trainees-2

Take the First Step to Healthy Eating. Enjoy 2 fruit & 5 veg every day. And just in case you forget, we've put the message on a bus! It's now rolling through the suburbs, loud and proud.

The Elmore Social Support Group is ready to start planting for spring, thanks to the delivery of some raised garden beds this week. Group coordinator Judy and Nat from our Health Promotion team did a great job on the shovels. You gotta be multi skilled at BCHS!

The Elmore Social Support Group empowers its members to keep enjoying what they love, to try new things, foster friendships and learn new skills.

For more info see our website https://www.bchs.com.au/elmore-planned-activity-group

No one should stand alone in the fight to end overdose.

Through the International Overdose Awareness Day 2024 theme, “Together we can”, we’re highlighting the strength of coming together and standing in support of those connected to the tragedy of overdose.

We'll be joining other Bendigo services on Friday, August 30 in the Library Gardens. Everyone is welcome to come along, connect with local services, enjoy a BBQ lunch and remember loved ones lost to overdose.

Shout out to Georgina in our Elmore Social Support Group. She's pictured here in 'the shed' at our Elmore site, working on a bird box for her garden.
The Elmore Social Support Group empowers its members to keep enjoying what they love, to try new things, foster friendships and learn new skills... like woodworking!

For more info see our website https://www.bchs.com.au/elmore-planned-activity-group