Category Archives: Ongoing News & Events

Chairperson Update

Ongoing News & Events

COVID-19 Update Anna Schwartz – Chairperson 1 April 2020

As you will be all too aware, we are facing a tremendous health and economic challenge in the form of COVID-19.  We wanted to assure you that the MWHCP Board, CEO and staff have been working to assess the impact to our services and rearrange the delivery of our services to ensure the women we assist continue to get the support they need, particularly at this time.

We have implemented a COVID-19 plan with staff in alignment with all Government requirements.  We have closed the office and moved staff to their home offices.  Our counsellors are providing their counselling service via phone and video conferencing (Zoom), our CEO and administration staff are working from home continuing their vital work.  The response from clients has been very good and they are appreciative of what we needed to do to protect all concerned.  In closing the office, we are not offering our group classes or creche.  We thank our creche staff, instructors and volunteers for their patience in this uncertain time.

While these are not the best of times, they are providing some space to rethink how we do things and what we value.  Board Member Rosemary Donavon is preparing a Membership Plan so that we can strengthen our connection to our members in a manner that suits their availability.  Rosemary would love to hear your ideas about what we could do to better serve you. Please contact her at boardmember4@mwhcp.org.au.

The Board was working on plans for the 25th anniversary.  However, these plans have been placed on hold while we put our attention to the constantly changing environment we find ourselves in to ensure we provide the best governance to the organisation, ensure its financial sustainability, work with staff to support them in working remotely, and find ways to support our clients within the current restrictions.  When we all have a measure of certainty back in our lives, we will recommence planning celebrations for the 25th anniversary again.  At this time we do not know when that will be and we have not committed any funds.  We are acting prudently.

We have engaged an accountant at an agreed and fixed fee to review our accounting system and our financial strategies to ensure we are acting in the best interests of the organisation.  This has had an immediate benefit in that our accountant advised us of our ability to obtain tax relief under a Government program for charitable organisations.

We have adopted a strategic plan for 2020 that will be reviewed with staff in September.  If you would like a copy of the plan, please email Liz Handley, Vice-Chairperson at vicechaiperson@mwhcp.org.au.  Our next priority is to complete a review of our policies and procedures.  We have free access to an online organisation that specialises in standards and policies for not-for-profit organisations and we will utilise these resources.

Much of what I have written probably seems rather prosaic.  I appreciate that but as a Board we are very focused on reviewing and getting our governance fundamentals right so that we have a robust organisation that can respond to COVID-19 or any other challenge. 

We would love to hear your thoughts and your ideas on how we as a community could support women who will find the requirement to stay at home more challenging than ever.  If you are interested in donating to a fund to assist women who may need to access emergency relief funds for food, shelter, or other requirements to protect themselves and their children, please contact me at chairperson@mwhcp.org.au.  We recognise that in this time of a health crisis and economic crisis money will be tight for everyone.  But if you are able to donate to this fund where money will only be used to assist women that our staff identify as being at risk, you would be making a tremendous contribution.  Our commitment to you will be that we advise you how your donation was used with all the appropriate protections of privacy but with enough information that you know someone who needed your support got it.

Thank you for your continued support. 

In appreciation

Anna Schwartz

Chairperson – Midland Women’s Health Care Place

Service Update – COVID-19

Ongoing News & Events

Our top priority is the health of our clients, staff and all their families. We would like to update you on our response to the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, and inform you of preventative measures to ensure both our clients and staff are safe and comfortable during this time.
The health and safety of our clients and staff are of utmost importance. Given the rate of spread and the affect the virus is having on vulnerable parts of our population, we have implemented preventative measures to enhance the protection of all.

Client 1-1 Counselling
We are currently still offering 1-1 counselling with extra screening in place. Should this situation change we have a contingency plan to offer phone counselling. The creche will not be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays until further notice. If you are unsure just call us on 9250 2221.

Bookings
It is essential that you let our team know prior to making an appointment or entering the centre, if you:

  • have returned from overseas in the past 14 days
  • have a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath
  • have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
  • you have been tested and are awaiting results

It is important that you are honest and we remain vigilant. We ask that you do not attend if you are unwell.
For those concerned about being in our reception area, when you arrive at the centre, feel free to stay in the car and phone our team to let us know you have arrived. We will let you know when it’s your turn to pop in.
If you have been required to self-isolate and/or tested positive after a visit to Midland Women’s Health Care Place please notify us immediately. 

Client Groups
All groups from Monday 23rd March will be cancelled for the remainder of this term. A review will take place prior to term 2 and communications will be delivered closer to this time.
Where possible we will be offering activities in conjunction with facilitators through our Facebook page and website, which will help to keep your mind positive and active.

Hygiene and Cleaning
We are following the advice from both the local and federal government requirements and the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding precautions to minimise risks concerned with COVID-19.
We’re ensuring our staff maintain high hygiene standards in our waiting room, counselling rooms, including practicing correct handwashing procedures and client screening.

General
We encourage you to look after your wellbeing and those around you as a top priority. Ensure you are getting plenty of rest and sleep, hydration, enjoying healthy food while supporting and nurturing yourself and those close to you. Be patient and practice kindness.

Here are some practical tips from the Health Department to assist you in staying healthy:

  • Stay home if you are sick, have a fever or cough, or if you have been exposed to someone who has the coronavirus or returned from overseas in the last 14 days
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue/inner elbow
  • Frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects

For the latest and most accurate updates, refer to the following websites:

For after-hours and emergencies:

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline: 9223 1188 – Outside Metro: 1800 007 339
  • Domestic Violence: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  • Crisis Care: 9223 1111 Outside Metro: 1800 199 008
  • Family Helpline: 9223 1100
  • Police Emergency: 000 Police Non-Emergency: 131 444

We are here to assist and help at this challenging and interesting time. Please call us on 9250 2221 if you require counselling or have any queries. Visit our Facebook page or website for up to date information. As the situation at the centre changes, we will keep you all updated via one of these channels.

Yours sincerely,
Sally Kingdon-Barbosa
CEO – Midland Women’s Health Care Place Inc.

Employers Guide to Family & Domestic Violence

Ongoing News & Events

The Fair Work Ombudsman has just released their Guide to Family & Domestic Violence. The new guide helps employers understand their responsibilities towards employees experiencing family and domestic violence. It also helps them develop a workplace response to managing family and domestic violence.

Knowledge, awareness and planning can help employers support their employees, meet their workplace obligations and protect their workplaces.

The guide outlines:
1) The role of the Fair Work Ombudsman and how we can help.
2) A checklist for managing family and domestic violence issues in the workplace.
3) What family and domestic violence is and how it affects workplaces.
4) Employers’ legal obligations.
5) A suggested approach to supporting employees and developing a workplace response to family and domestic violence.
6) Support and referral services.

https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave