Plus Community

We couldn’t be prouder of our Central West WDVCAS Domestic Violence Specialist, Maryam Soleymanpour, who gave a truly electric panel talk at the Domestic Violence NSW Conference today. Her passion, authenticity, and lived experience captivated the audience, earning her several spontaneous rounds of applause. Maryam spoke from the heart, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by multicultural women in regional areas, saying: "We have got to be able to have services for multicultural women in regional areas to overcome the isolation that is reality for so many women." In sharing her personal journey, Maryam reflected on the strength and resilience of migrant women navigating the complexities of domestic violence and relocation: "As a migrant woman, who was told to relocate to the country by police with my child, my workplace became my safe place." Her words resonated deeply with the audience, reminding us all of the critical need for culturally sensitive and accessible services in regional areas. Maryam is an inspiring force, working tirelessly to support women escaping domestic violence, and her passion shines through every aspect of her work. This moment at the DVNSW Conference is just one example of the impact she makes daily in our community. Here’s a snapshot of Maryam in her element — passionate, engaged, and leading the conversation for change.

Last week, we had the privilege of joining Grounded Electrical for an inspiring night, speaking with 35 tradies from the Orange community. Our conversation focused on raising awareness about domestic violence, introducing the men’s toolbox for practical tools to support healthy relationships, and addressing the importance of mental health in the workplace. It was an eye-opening experience and the start of something bigger—educating both men and women to recognise the signs and be advocates for change. These discussions play a crucial role in fostering safer, more supportive communities. A huge thank you to Grounded for their ongoing partnership, and for connecting us with such incredible opportunities to share knowledge, empower others, and create a positive impact. Together, we are building a brighter future!

R U OK Day 2024 ?? Our Housing Plus and Plus Community teams across all offices came together yesterday to check in, connect, and enjoy some well-deserved time for self-care and wellbeing. From lunches and outdoor walks to remote wellbeing sessions like Lifeline training, chair yoga and dietician tips to beat the 3pm slump, everyone got involved! We also used the day yesterday to announce the launch of our new Wellbeing and Benefits Initiative - Perkbox! Perkbox provides our team with access to a wide range of perks, wellbeing tools, and resources that support both their mental and physical health. Through Perkbox, our employees can enjoy exclusive discounts, wellbeing content, and recognition tools, empowering them to stay healthy, motivated, and engaged at work and beyond!

Recently, PsychSolutions Health & Wellbeing delivered training focused on trauma exposure at work, de-escalation strategies, and the Vicarious Trauma Toolkit to our dedicated and amazing DV team. Together, they explored ways to manage compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress through self-care and resilience-building techniques. This training was a reminder of the importance of looking after ourselves while we care for others, and we so proud of this team for their commitment to not only their work but also their own wellbeing.

Today marks the end of the Country Women's Association of NSW annual awareness week which focussed on domestic and family violence in regional, rural & remote areas of the state. To celebrate, our Senior Policy Officer Erin Hunt attended a morning tea hosted by the CWA's Macquarie group at the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service - Plus Community in Dubbo this morning. DVNSW looks forward to partnering with the CWA in any future campaigns to raise awareness of domestic and family violence.?

Last Friday, our team had the privilege of attending public speaking training with NIDA Corporate Training. Based on comfort and experience, teams were split into two engaging modules: "Presenting with Confidence" and "Presenting with Impact." The training provided us with valuable skills to enhance our communication and presentation abilities. A big thank you to the NIDA team!

???? We're thrilled to celebrate the amazing women from Bathurst and Orange, NSW, who have recently completed their Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) through our partnership with the Plus Community (formally Housing Plus) Opportunity Pathways Program! Delivered via webinar in a class setting, this course allowed the students to collaborate and support each other throughout their training and assessments. VERTO (Australia)'s Business Development Manager, Tanya Benett, joined a celebration lunch to celebrate these dedicated students who also completed 80 hours of work placement, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience and employment opportunities. Congratulations to these inspiring women, several of whom have already secured employment while another is continuing her studies with VERTO to achieve a Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021).

Exciting News from The Orchard Dubbo! ?? This week, we were honoured to welcome local stakeholders and service providers for an exclusive tour of The Orchard Dubbo, our newest facility dedicated to providing essential support and accommodation for those affected by domestic and family violence. Opening its doors this September, The Orchard Dubbo represents a significant step forward in our mission to create safe spaces and provide critical services to those in need within the Dubbo community and beyond. In the photo, you'll see Plus Community's CEO Justin Cantelo, the passionate team from Plus Community and The Orchard Dubbo, Jenny Rolfe from DCJ, and staff from Dubbo Regional Council. Thank you to everyone who joined us this week. We’re excited about the positive changes The Orchard Dubbo will bring to the region, and we look forward to the continued collaboration with our partners and community members.

Launching the 2024 White Tie Ball ?? We're honoured to be featured in the recent Central Western Daily article discussing the critical issue of domestic violence in Orange. https://lnkd.in/gkdU4mSg Grounded’s sponsorship of the White Tie Ball is paramount in our efforts to shift stigmas and ignite essential conversations around this pressing issue. Their support enables us to raise awareness and provide much-needed resources to victims of domestic violence. The White Tie Ball is more than a fundraiser; it's a platform for change and a beacon of hope for our community. ??? Save the Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024 ??? Tickets on sale now! To buy tickets, virtual seats, or donate, visit: https://lnkd.in/gccx7EPC

Talk about dream team! ?? Our wonderful new Orchard Dubbo team members came to meet the team at the Orchard Orange, and the energy was incredible! With The Orchard Dubbo set to open its doors this September, we are thrilled to expand our support network and provide vital accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence. The Orchard Dubbo will offer a safe haven and a fresh start for those in need, and our dedicated team is ready to make a positive impact in the Dubbo community. A big thank you to everyone who has supported us in making this vision a reality, including this awesome crew pictured!