Ballarat Community Health

02/12/2025

This International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), we are proud to recognise and celebrate the contributions of people with disability, while reflecting on the work still needed to create inclusive, equitable communities.

We had the privledge at B*H to be joined by advocate and lived-experience speaker, Feonyx Holden, who shared her insights with our community. Feonyx is a passionate voice for representation and social change, using her lived experience to highlight the challenges many people with disability continue to face.

Her work reminds us of the importance of listening, learning, and taking meaningful steps to remove barriers and build environments where everyone can participate fully.

IDPwD is a timely reminder that we all have a role to play in creating communities that are accessible, inclusive, and supportive for people of all abilities.

01/12/2025

With festival season approaching and more people partying, we’re offering workshops to help you stay informed about safer choices around drugs and looking after yourself and others

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐩-𝐔𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 - 𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐁𝐕 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠!

⦁ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Tuesday, 2nd December
⦁ 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10am - 5pm (BBV testing available from 10am - 1:30pm)
⦁ 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Stockland Car Park - Norman Street, Wendouree
𝐁𝐁𝐕 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟏:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦

⦁ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Thursday, 4th December
⦁ 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 1pm - 5pm
⦁ 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Alfred Deakin Place - Camp Street, Ballarat Central

𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄:
❤️ Naloxone
❤️ Nitazene test strips
❤️ Drink spike test strips
❤️ Safer drug use information, resources and support

Come and chat to our friendly harm reduction team.
Everyone welcome

Take Home Naloxone Program Victoria’s Take-Home Naloxone Program allows more people who may experience or witness an opioid overdose to access free naloxone from an expanded range of organisations. Contact Kate Davenport Harm Reduction Coordinator Phone (03) 5338 9164 Organisations approved to sup...

26/11/2025

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒/𝟐𝟓: Children and Young People

B*H is proud to deliver a wide range of services for children and young people, in a range of settings, using tailored approaches.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 supported thousands of young people in the Ballarat and surrounding areas. Across every measure, young people tell us that headspace makes a real difference to their wellbeing.

The 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (𝐘𝐄𝐏) provides tailored work and study support for young people accessing mental health services at headspace Ballarat. During 2024/25, the program supported 118 young people - with 25% of participants commencing study and 60% gaining employment.

Pictured: Hannah, Sexual and Reproductive Health Nurse
https://bchannualreport.org.au/2025/children-young-people/

24/11/2025

headspace Ballarat is moving!

We’re relocating to a new, purpose-built space designed to be more welcoming, accessible, and youth-friendly for young people, families, and the community.

It’s the same great support, in a new and improved location, just up the road. Services will commence from December 22nd. All service until that date will remain at Camp St.

Our new home at 20 Dawson Street North (level 1), will provide more space, increased inclusion, and a fresh environment for young people to connect with our team.

The move will help us continue to meet the growing needs of our community while keeping our services free, safe, and easy to access.

The new location is less than a 10 minute walk and only 600m from Camp st.

➡️ New address: 20 Dawson Street North, Ballarat Central
➡️ Relocating in late December 2025 – services continue as normal
➡️ All headspace Ballarat staff & clinicians are moving to the site
➡️ Same phone number and email contact details
➡️ Same support – just a new home

For more information, contact the team at headspace Ballarat

Ph: 5304 4777
Email: info@headspaceballarat.org.au
Web: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/ballarat/

24/11/2025

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟔 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.
The annual campaign calls on all of us to take meaningful action to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence.

This year, Ballarat is taking action with “𝟏𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟔 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬” - a community-wide invitation to take part in one simple, impactful activity each day to promote gender equality and help create a safer community for all.

Everyone can play a part in eliminating gender-based violence.
It’s a community problem, and it will take a community effort to overcome.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩:
🔸 In an emergency, always call 000
🔸 The Orange Door Central Highlands: 1800 219 819
🔸 Safe Steps (24/7): 1800 015 188
🔸 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
🔸 Ballarat & District Aboriginal Cooperative: (03) 5331 5344
🔸 WRISC Family Violence Support: (03) 5333 3666
🔸 Ballarat CASA: (03) 5320 3933
🔸 Cafs: (03) 5337 3333
🔸 Berry Street: (03) 5330 5000

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝟏𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟔 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬:https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/16%20ways%20for%2016%20days%2C%20Your%20Ballarat%20Journey_0.pdf

24/11/2025

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 reminds us how important it is to support new parents during pregnancy, birth and the first year of their baby’s life.

The transition into parenthood can be challenging. In Australia, 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety - that's around 100,000 Australian parents each year 💛

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲
If you're a new parent, grandparent or carer of a baby aged 0–12 months, register your interest to join our free 8-week program.

▪️ Build confidence
▪️ Strengthen your bond
▪️ Learn practical tips
▪️ Support your emotional wellbeing

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

To register or learn more, please email our intake team: info@bchc.org.au

17/11/2025

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒/𝟐𝟓: Gender Based Violence - Our Approach

At B*H, we see the impact of family violence every day and remain committed to prevention, early intervention and support.

Our Healthy Communities team delivered relationship and sexuality education across 20 schools in Ballarat and surrounding areas - reaching 11,000 students and positively impacting 7,000 families.
https://bchannualreport.org.au/2025/gender-based-violence-our-approach/

11/11/2025

Thinking of trying a v**e?
Don’t get sucked in.
If you start, it may be harder to stop.
So… control it, before it controls you.
𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐩𝐞.

𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: https://bchc.org.au/service/smokingandva**ngsupport/

The artwork and design concept for this campaign is based on conversations with young people about va**ng.

This is a Ballarat Community Health campaign, in support with VicHealth

Smoking and Va**ng Support Ballarat Community Health can support you to quit smoking or va**ng. Make an appointment that best suits you. Call B*H to talk to a Customer Service Officer to discuss your options. Contact Contact a Customer Service Officer Phone (03) 5338 4500 GP Clinics The GP clinic ca...

10/11/2025

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒/𝟐𝟓: Healthy Ageing in Our Community

Ballarat Community Health is committed to supporting people in our region by tailoring our services to promote healthy lifestyles, wellbeing, and independence.

We expanded our Lucas site with a second gym, increasing capacity by 100 clients per week for physiotherapy and exercise programs. In May 2025, we added Home Care Package (HCP) Services to our program offerings as a government-supported program helping older people who want to stay at home.

“I’m impressed with the staff’s enthusiasm and what B*H do for the community. I have been linked with services in the past, but this is by far the best service I’ve ever received.” – 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐁𝐂𝐇 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞 (𝐇𝐂𝐏) 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭
https://bchannualreport.org.au/2025/healthy-ageing-in-our-community/

07/11/2025

Good news story to end your week!

When Leon walks into the gym at Ballarat Community Health, his face lights up. Twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, he trains with the support of eQuality Support, and it’s quickly become one of the highlights of his week.

Thomas, one of Leon’s Disability Support Workers, has seen the change first-hand.
“I support him on a Friday. He absolutely loves it. I’ve never seen Leon as happy as he is in the gym. He’s a superstar and gives absolutely everything a go.”

Leon agrees: “I like going to the gym. It makes me feel good inside.”

Recently, Leon has started weight training... and he’s loving it. He even told Beth, his Exercise Physiologist at B*H, that he’s happy to try anything she recommends.

“Leon makes my job a dream because he’s so enthusiastic and patient. He’s willing to try anything, and it’s been a real blessing to see him enjoy the gym so much,” Beth says.

That determination isn’t new for Leon. Growing up, he was a talented footballer, proudly playing ruck rover and taking home multiple trophies. That same confidence is now shining through in his sessions at B*H.

With Beth tailoring a program to his goals, the focus is on strength, balance, respiratory health – and just as importantly, on mental health and community connection.

“We’re not just working on Leon’s physical fitness; his balance, strength, and respiratory health, but also his mental health. The joy and community he gets out of these sessions is just as important,” Beth explains.

The next step is for Leon to work towards 1:1 sessions with his support workers, a powerful move towards greater independence, and possibly even training at home in the future.

Stories like Leon’s capture what Ballarat Community Health is here for: supporting people to build confidence, explore new passions and be part of a community.

06/11/2025

Last night, we held our Annual General Meeting and are proud to share our 2024–25 Annual Report with our community.

This year’s report highlights the achievements, impacts, and stories that reflect the dedication of our staff and the trust our community places in us. It showcases the programs, partnerships, and services that continue to make a difference across Ballarat and the wider region.

We want to thank our community for reading the report, for engaging with our programs, and for accessing our services. Your support and involvement inspire the work we do every day.

Ballarat Community Health remains here for our community, continuing to advocate for better health outcomes, and providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality care for everyone.

Please enjoy the 2024–25 Annual Report: https://bchannualreport.org.au/2025/

03/11/2025

This Trans Pride Month help Ballarat Community Health plan future events for the trans and gender diverse community in Ballarat in collaboration with local and regional organisations and community partnerships.

We are currently partnering with Transgender Victoria to bring an exciting event to Ballarat in the new year. Your feedback is important to help shape this and future inclusive events.

Watch this space - more information coming soon!

Please follow the link to complete our survey: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=B-hnRZMYXEikVLTA9Mlo9CeR46YJaZdDkXlqRW7xgWVUNENMWk9GV0haVjlOSUJHT0hQQjFPNVRSUi4u&route=shorturl

*The survey is de-identified, confidential and will only take a few minutes to complete